Breakup and coalescence dynamics of oil drops in vortical flows

Predicting the evolution and fate of marine oil spills requires a fundamental understanding of how oil droplets interact with complex surface flows. We study the dynamics of oil droplet breakup, coalescence, and spreading atop two-dimensional cellular and chaotic flow patterns that mimic oceanic surface currents. We tune the flow topology, creating spatially heterogeneous fields of stretching and compression, and analyze their impact on oil droplet size distribution, coalescence and breakup statistics. Specifically, we examine how distinct topological features, including transport barriers and regions of high strain, regulate droplet dynamics and influence emulsification process. Our results elucidate the critical role of flow heterogeneity in controlling both the emulsification rate and the spatial distribution of oil, providing insight into pollutant dispersion and oil spill scenarios in marine environments.