Grantee Research Project Results
Mechanistic-based Watershed Modeling for Evaluation of Ecosystem Conditions
EPA Grant Number: R827956Title: Mechanistic-based Watershed Modeling for Evaluation of Ecosystem Conditions
Investigators: Yeh, Gour-Tsyh , Gwo, J. P. , Schayek, Lily
Current Investigators: Yeh, Gour-Tsyh , Schayek, Lily , Gwo, J. P.
Institution: Pennsylvania State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: January 10, 2000 through September 30, 2003 (Extended to September 30, 2005)
Project Amount: $888,637
RFA: Computing Technology for Ecosystem Modeling (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Environmental Statistics
Description:
The research is to develop a robust, efficient, mechanistic based watershed numerical model for ecosystem modeling, that is comprised of river/stream, overland, and saturated/unsaturated subsurface media and accounts for hydrodynamic, sediment transport, pollutant transport, fate and transformation. The model will be highly modularized and adapted to high performance computing environments. The model will be linked to several user-friendly platforms of modeling environment.Objectives/Hypothesis:
In response to EPA ecological research strategies (EPA, 1998), the overall objectives of the proposed research are to provide the first principle-based modeling tools for: 1) understanding, quantifying, and modeling key transport and transformation mechanisms of physical, chemical, and biological processes; 2) developing an integrated modeling system for high priority problems of interest (EPA, 1998) including sediments, nutrients, industrial chemicals, pesticides, metals, algae, and microbes; and 3) providing a prototype modeling framework for the EPA covering a full range of computing architectures from personal computers to scalable, parallel machines.
Objective:
In response to EPA ecological research strategies (EPA, 1998), the overall objectives of the proposed research are to provide the first principle-based modeling tools for: 1) understanding, quantifying, and modeling key transport and transformation mechanisms of physical, chemical, and biological processes; 2) developing an integrated modeling system for high priority problems of interest (EPA, 1998) including sediments, nutrients, industrial chemicals, pesticides, metals, algae, and microbes; and 3) providing a prototype modeling framework for the EPA covering a full range of computing architectures from personal computers to scalable, parallel machines.
Approach:
To achieve the above objectives, the approach taken is to conduct four research tasks. The first is to enhance the robustness and accuracy of WASH123D (Yeh et. al, 1998). The second is to link to visualization/user interfaces of several selected modeling environments such as GMS, BASIN, ARGUS, etc. The third is to port the model to high performance computing under several hardware architectures. Finally, the fourth is to verify and validate each module in the modeling software with experimental data, and the complete model will be validated with field data from the watersheds located in the Mid Atlantic region.
Expected Results:
The significance (expected results) of this research is threefold. First, it enables us to move beyond past piecemeal approaches and creates an integrated approach needed to facilitate the evolution toward more comprehensive assessment tools. Second, it is in line with EPA's goal that requires future models "to be based as closely as possible on first principle" and "sufficiently complex in their description of the understanding processes that they become virtual realities" (EPA, 1998). Third, the numerical software will be instrumental in: providing exposure concentrations from multiple stressors at multiple scales, aiding in the selection of indicators and design of a monitoring network, and providing a physics-based tool for watershed assessment. Furthermore, WASH123D will provide a mechanistic-based TMDL input for lakes/reservoirs and tidal water bodies.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 51 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 7 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
watershed modeling, first principle-based model, numerical modeling, fully dynamic wave, surface runoff, subsurface flow, river hydrodynamics, reactive chemical transport, sediment transport, high performance computing., RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Water, Waste, Toxics, Mathematics, Ecological Indicators, Fate & Transport, pesticides, Ecosystem Protection, Chemistry, Ecology, Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, computing technology, Contaminated Sediments, Hydrology, Nutrients, Wet Weather Flows, tidal water bodies, ecosystem evaluation, microbial pollution, tidal influence, numerical model, computer simulation model, watershed modeling, contaminated sediment, water quality, industrial chemicals, subsurface media, aquatic ecosystem, high performance computing, streams, mechanistic-based watershed modeling, fate and transport, sediment transport, hydrological stability, ecological exposure, lake ecosystems, sediment, component-based software, bioindicators, numerical models, metals, information technology, mechanistic based watershed modeling, nutrient transport, watershed, computer science, ecosystem modelingProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.