EN
The spreading properties of several hydrocarbons (vegetable, engine, gear and crude oils) on distilled and artificial sea water were determined under laboratory conditions using a novel optical method. With the aid of Langmuir’s equation, the geometrical signatures of a discrete lens of each hydrocarbon droplet floating on a water tank served to calculate the entering E (31.30–94.18 mN m−1) and spreading S (−3.50 to −57.49 mN m−1) coefficients, and equilibrium thicknesses t∞ (0.20–1.25 cm). They appeared to be in agreement with the values derived from direct interfacial tension measurements (Wilhelmy plate and stalagmometer methods). Empirical relations of the normalized lens radius rL/rdrop and S on the water surface tension γAW were postulated as being of significant value in oil spill assessment studies at sea. The parameters obtained together with the surface properties of a natural surfactant-containing water body represent the principal input data required for modelling the spreading of a surface-tension-gradient-driven oil spill at sea.