On optimal control theory in marine oil spill management: A Markovian decision approach

• Published in: European journal of operational research 2012-03, Vol.217 (2), p.470-478
• Main Authors: Bassey, K.J., Chigbu, P.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Contingency planning; Control theory; Crude oil; Culture; Decision making; Decision theory; Decision theory. Utility theory; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Formalism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; Marine and brackish environment; Marine environment; Marine environments; Markov analysis; Markov processes; Markovian decision process; Mathematics; Oil spills; Operational research; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Operations research; Optimization; Probability and statistics; Probability theory and stochastic processes; Sciences and techniques of general use; Spills; Studies
• ISSN: 0377-2217; 1872-6860
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2011.09.036

► Development of a novel strategy of optimal control theory for oil spill management. ► Formulation of sequential decision rules using MDP. ► Application of optimal control theory to marine oil spill via MDP. Most evaluations of ecological effects of petroleum contamination have related impacts to effects on the supply of products and services of importance to human cultures. In order to facilitate the decision making process in the event of crude oil spills into marine environments, this paper treats marine oil spill problem from a system-theoretic point of view using the state variable description of Markovian decision process and operational research formalism.