RP15 Assessment at Larger Scales (Watersheds, Landscape, Regional)
Thursday, 17 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(WAN-1117-831569) Computer Animations with GIS Interface for Multi-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Fate and Transport Models.

Wang, PF¹, Earley, P¹, Wang, S², ¹ SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, Environmental Sciences and Applied Systems Branch, San Diego, CA, USA² Computer Sciences Corporation, San Diego, CA, USA

ABSTRACT- Contaminant fate and transport study tools have advanced from simple calculations and low-dimensional models to multi-dimensional animated models. These sophisticated models have demonstrated their predictive capabilities and are accepted as cost-effective, scientifically based tools for addressing fate and transport related issues, such as National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits, Total Maximum Daily Load studies, and Waste Load allocations. In order to apply these sophisticated models to decision-making processes, the models run at the Department of Defense (DoD) Supercomputer Center. The data is then stored on PC-based computers and displayed and accessed with a Java animation package and a GIS interface (ArcView). As part of the DoD Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and other Navy programs, a 2-dimensional hydrodynamic and fate/transport model, TRIM2D, has been applied to simulate fate and transport of copper in San Diego Bay for periods ranging from seasons to two years. The Java animation package processes the model results in dynamic animation and time series modes, which are coupled with GIS layers. This innovative coupling of GIS and dynamic model animation is the first of this kind, which makes the presentation of model results user-friendly and informative. In addition, a 3-dimensional Curvilinear Hydrodynamics model (CH3D), has been applied to study fecal coliform dispersion in Sinclair Inlet, WA supporting the Navy-EPA ENVVEST (ENVironmental inVESTment) Program and other regulatory programs examining fate and transport of contaminants in the Norfolk, VA area. The combination of running sophisticated hydrodynamic models on High Performance Computers and animating model results coupled with GIS information is demonstrated to be a cost-effective science-based approach which, due to its user-friendly and information-rich features, provides a link between state-of-science modeling tools and regulatory/ decision-making.

Key words: Model, Animation, GIS, Decision-making