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THE ON-SITE ON-LINE TOOL FOR SITE ASSESSMENT CALCULATIONS
Citation:
Weaver, J W. THE ON-SITE ON-LINE TOOL FOR SITE ASSESSMENT CALCULATIONS. Presented at Georgia Ground Water Association Meeting, Doraville, GA, March 10, 2000.
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this research is to develop a multicomponent, mass-balance-based model for simulating transport of spilled oils with and without dispersant treatments.
Description:
State and Federal Agency personnel often receive modeling reports with undocumented parameter values. The reports give parameter values, but often no indication if the value was measured, taken from the literature, the result of calibration, or some type of estimate. Recent examples from leaking underground storage tank sites included a retardation factor of 10 for benzene, bulk density of 2.65 g/cm3 in a sandy aquifer, recharge rate of 2 ft/d, and longitudinal dispersivity of 1/2 the plume length. These values should raise red flags but unfortunately in some cases they were accepted at face value. On the other side of the coin, even experienced modelers appreciate the convenience and efficiency of prepackaged calculations, particularly for some less well known parameters. From these needs, a set of "calculators" were developed to provide formulas and data for performing a suite of site assessment calculations. The calculators run over the Internet and the user only needs Internet access and a JavaScript-enabled browser (Netscape4+or Internet Explorer4+ both work fine). Three kirids of calculations are provided: Formulas--gradient, retardation factor, seepage velocity and travel time, effective solubility, etc. Models-1 D constant source, 1 D fuel source, (3D and others under development), Unit Conversions-hydraulic conductivity, henry's law, flow rates, half lives, dates- to-days. The calculators can be found at www.epa.gov/athens/software/trainining/WebCourse by following the link to the "calculators". The web pages for the calculators give background information, suggestions for using the calculators and examples of their use. The presentation will highlight uses of the calculators by evaluating a case study.