Track: Environmental Management
Integrated Environmental Risk Assessment Through a GIS-Based Decision Support System
Dr. G.H. HuangG.H. Huang , A. Chakma
With an urgent need for effective management of petroleum contaminated sites, a GIS-aided simulation and risk analysis (SIMRA) system is presented in this study. The SIMRA contains two components: environmental modeling and GIS, which are integrated within a general framework. The modeling component includes (1) simulation for the contaminants in subsurface unsaturated and saturated zones, and (2) risk assessment of pollution impacts on receptors of concern. The GIS component provides (a) a comprehensive database of contaminated site conditions, (b) a majority of inputs for the modeling studies, (c) tools for spatial and statistical analysis, and (d) visual presentation of the modeling results. Especially, combination of the risk assessment results with spatial information will be meaningful for identifying and assessing pollution impacts on specific receptors. The operation of the SIMRA is explained through a case study that is related to a petroleum-contaminated site in western Canada where the soil and groundwater are contaminated by petroleum-derived product and its constituents due to leakage of pipeline and underground storage tanks. The results indicate that SIMRA is useful for not only industries themselves but also governments when they are making decisions regarding waste management, pollution control, site remediation, and impact/risk assessment.
Dr. G.H. Huang
University of Regina
Regina, SASKATCHEWAN S4S 0A2
CANADA
Telephone: (306)585-4095
Fax: 306)585-4855
E-mail: huangg@leroy.cc.uregina.ca