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EPA'S ON-LINE CALCULATORS AND TRAINING COURSE
Citation:
Weaver, J W. EPA'S ON-LINE CALCULATORS AND TRAINING COURSE. Presented at U.S. EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, March 10-12, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
To assist decision-making by improving approaches to subsurface contaminant transport modeling based on evaluation of field observations and subsequent development of appropriate modeling approaches and tools.
Description:
EPA has developed a suite of on-line calculators called "OnSite" for assessing transport of environmental contaminants int the subsurface. The calculators are available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/athens/onsite, and are divided into four categories: Parameter Estimates, Simple Transport Models, Unit Conversions, and Scientific Demos Since their inception in 1998, the calculators have been used by State Agencies, EPA Regional Offices and private consulting firms; and there has been a steady increase in their use. The web site will be demo-ed with emphasis on the latest additions, which include estimation of biodegradation rates from field data, uncertainty in model results and State-specific chemical data for use as inputs.
With tight budgets, employee turnover and high workloads, there may be little time and money for training. EPA is adapting its modeling training course "Modeling Subsurface Transport of Petroleum Hydrocarbons" for the Internet. The course is divided into self-study modules, each with a set of objectives, 15 to 20 web pages that are enhanced with graphics and on-line calculators, review, a quiz. A certificate is automatically generated when the quiz is passed. Currently completed modules focus on fate and transport of contaminants, with more to be added in the coming months.