Environmental Modeling

Abstract

Environmental models are often used to describe the transport of contaminants when measurements are not possible—for example, in predicting future events. Models can be computer simulations or napkin-back equations. Using either requires an understanding of the simplifications made to the governing equations and to the many required input-, boundary-, and initial-condition parameter values. Model calibration involves setting realistic parameter values until the model output matches reasonably well with a set of measurement data. Model validation involves matching the model output to a second set of data using the calibrated parameter values. Packaged models exist for many environmental settings, including surface water, groundwater, river sediments, air, soil vapor, and indoor air.