Abstract |
The complexity of contaminant distribution and migration at hazardous waste sites requires a mathematical method that is capable of interpreting raw data and coverting them to useful information. The program offers the environmental scientist an interactive tool for performing two-dimensional geostatistical analyses of spatially distributed data. Geostatistical methods are useful for site assessment and monitoring where data are collected on a spatial network of sampling locations. Examples of environmental applications include lead and cadmium concentrations in soils surrounding smelters, and sulfate deposition in rainfall. Extensive use of screen graphics such as maps, histograms, scatter plots and variograms help the user search for patterns, correlations, and problems in a data set. Individual programs can be run independently; the statistics and graphics routines may prove useful even when a full geostatistical study is not appropriate. For ease of use, the programs are controlled interactively through screen menus and use simple ASCII data files. |