CASS for Evaluating Hg Contamination in Clear Lake, CA

Bale, A. E.; Shrestha, P. L.; Orlob, G. T.; ,

CASS for Evaluating Hg Contamination in Clear Lake, CA

by A. E. Bale, Univ of California, Davis, United States,
P. L. Shrestha, Univ of California, Davis, United States,
G. T. Orlob, Univ of California, Davis, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Management in the '90s: A Time for Innovation

Abstract:

Characterization of ecosystem contamination and evaluation of potential mitigation schemes represent two of the most immediate challenges to management of water resources. Heavy metals in the aquatic environment are of particular concern and pose a special problem to water managers. Contamination by heavy metals can range through all levels of aquatic ecosystems as metal species are dissolved in the water column, adsorbed to fine sediments, and transported with biota. Management of these water resources is complicated by the variety of interactions among the various transport mechanisms and the environmentally dependent speciation of heavy metals. Numerical models are being utilized to describe these aquatic systems, simulate different natural scenarios, and estimate the effects of imposed mitigation schemes. The task of manipulating the data necessary for model implementation and evaluation can be daunting. To assure effective modeling and management of water resources, field data must be coordinated with model requirements and correlated to model results during analysis, calibration, and review. Computer Aided Support Systems (CASS) provide innovative approaches to solving problems of managing, analyzing, and displaying field and simulation data for decision making. This paper describes the development and preliminary application of a CASS for evaluation of mercury contamination and eutrophication in Clear Lake, California.

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