This textbook presents the timeless basic physical and mathematical principles and philosophy of environmental modeling to students who need to be taught how to think in a different way than they would for more narrowly-defined engineering or physics problems. Examples come from a range of hydrologic, atmospheric, and geophysical problems.

The global environment is a complex mix of interlinked processes, about which observation can tell us a great deal. This book shows how modelling can be used to explain experimental observations, and how these observations - and data gathered - can be extrapolated to explain novel situations. It also illustrates how models are actively applied.

Increasingly used to represent climatic, biogeochemical, and ecological systems, computer modeling has become an important tool that should be in every environmental professional’s toolbox. Environmental Modeling: A Practical Introduction is just what it purports to be, a practical introduction to the various methods, techniques, and skills required for computerized environmental modeling. Exploring the broad arena of environmental modeling, the book demonstrates how to represent an environmental problem in conceptual terms, formalize the conceptual model using mathematical expressions, convert the mathematical model into a program that can be run on a desktop or laptop computer, and examine the results produced by the computational model. Equally important, the book imparts skills that allow you to develop, implement, and experiment with a range of computerized environmental models. The emphasis is on active engagement in the modeling process rather than on passive learning about a suite of well-established models. The author takes a practical approach throughout, one that does not get bogged down in the details of the underlying mathematics and that encourages learning through “hands on” experimentation. He provides a set of software tools and data sets that you can use to work through the various examples and exercises presented in each chapter, as well as presentational material and handouts for course tutors. Comprehensive and up-to-date, the book discusses how computational models can be used to represent environmental systems and illustrates how such models improve understanding of the ways in which environmental systems function.

The book has two aims: to introduce basic concepts of environmental modelling and to facilitate the application of the concepts using modern numerical tools such as MATLAB. It is targeted at all natural scientists dealing with the environment: process and chemical engineers, physicists, chemists, biologists, biochemists, hydrogeologists, geochemists and ecologists. MATLAB was chosen as the major computer tool for modeling, firstly because it is unique in it's capabilities, and secondly because it is available in most academic institutions, in all universities and in the research departments of many companies. In the 2nd edition many chapters will include updated and extended material. In addition the MATLAB command index will be updated and a new chapter on numerical methods will be added. For the second edition of 'Environmental Modeling' the first edition was completely revised. Text and figures were adapted to the recent MATLAB® version. Several chapters were extended. Correspondingly the index of MATLAB commands was extended considerably, which makes the book even more suitable to be used as a reference work by novices. Finally an introduction into numerical methods was added as a new chapter. “/p>

This book introduces numerical methods for processing datasets which may be of any form, illustrating adequately computational resolution of environmental alongside the use of open source libraries. This book solves the challenges of misrepresentation of datasets that are relevant directly or indirectly to the research. It illustrates new ways of screening datasets or images for maximum utilization. The adoption of various numerical methods in dataset treatment would certainly create a new scientific approach. The book enlightens researchers on how to analyse measurements to ensure 100% utilization. It introduces new ways of data treatment that are based on a sound mathematical and computational approach.

A primer on modeling concepts and applications that is specifically geared toward the environmental field. Sections on modeling terminology, the uses of models, the model-building process, and the interpretation of output provide the foundation for detailed applications. After an introduction to the basics of dynamic modeling, the book leads students through an analysis of several environmental problems, including surface-water pollution, matter-cycling disruptions, and global warming. The scientific and technical context is provided for each problem, and the methods for analyzing and designing appropriate modeling approaches is provided. While the mathematical content does not exceed the level of a first-semester calculus course, the book gives students all of the background, examples, and practice exercises needed both to use and understand environmental modeling. It is suitable for upper-level undergraduate and beginning-graduate level environmental professionals seeking an introduction to modeling in their field.

Can we coexist with the other life forms that have evolved on this planet? Are there realistic alternatives to fossil fuels that would sustainably provide for human society's energy needs and have fewer harmful effects? How do we deal with threats such as emergent diseases? Mathematical models—equations of various sorts capturing relationships between variables involved in a complex situation—are fundamental for understanding the potential consequences of choices we make. Extracting insights from the vast amounts of data we are able to collect requires analysis methods and statistical reasoning. This book on elementary topics in mathematical modeling and data analysis is intended for an undergraduate “liberal arts mathematics”-type course but with a specific focus on environmental applications. It is suitable for introductory courses with no prerequisites beyond high school mathematics. A great variety of exercises extends the discussions of the main text to new situations and/or introduces new real-world examples. Every chapter ends with a section of problems, as well as with an extended chapter project which often involves substantial computing work either in spreadsheet software or in the R statistical package.

A uniquely accessible text on environmental modeling designed for both students and industry personnel Pollutant fate and modeling are becoming increasingly important in both regulatory and scientific areas. However,the complexity of the software and models often act as an inhibitor to the advancement of water quality science. A Basic Introduction to Pollutant Fate and Transport fills the need for a basic instructional tool for students and environmental professionals who lack the rigorous mathematical background necessary to derive the governing fate and transport equations. Taking a refreshingly simple approach to the subject that requires only a basic knowledge of algebra and first-year college chemistry, the book presents and integrates all of the aspects of fate and transport, including chemistry, modeling, risk assessment, and relevant environmental legislation; approaching each topic first conceptually before introducing the math necessary to model it. The first half of the book is dedicated to the chemistry and physics behind the fate and transport models, while the second half teaches and reinforces the logical concepts underlying fate and transport modeling. This better prepares students for support jobs in the environmental arena surrounding chemical industry and Superfund sites. Contributing to the book's ease of use are: An extremely user-friendly software program, Fate, which uses basic models to predict the fate and transport of pollutants in lakes, rivers, groundwater, and atmospheric systems The use of "canned" models to evaluate the importance of model parameters and sensitivity analysis A wealth of easy-to-understand examples and problems A chapter on environmental legislation in the United States and Europe A set of lab exercises, as well as a downloadable set of teaching aids A much-needed basic text for contemporary hydrology or environmental chemistry courses and support courses forthe environmental industry, this is a valuable desk reference for educators and industry professionals.

Publisher Description

This book presents an overview of modeling and simulation of environmental systems via diverse research problems and pertinent case studies. It is divided into four parts covering sustainable water resources modeling, air pollution modeling, Internet of Things (IoT) based applications in environmental systems, and future algorithms and conceptual frameworks in environmental systems. Each of the chapters demonstrate how the models, indicators, and ecological processes could be applied directly in the environmental sub-disciplines. It includes range of concepts and case studies focusing on a holistic management approach at the global level for environmental practitioners. Features: Covers computational approaches as applied to problems of air and water pollution domain. Delivers generic methods of modeling with spatio-temporal analyses using soft computation and programming paradigms. Includes theoretical aspects of environmental processes with their complexity and programmable mathematical approaches. Adopts a realistic approach involving formulas, algorithms, and techniques to establish mathematical models/computations. Provides a pathway for real-time implementation of complex modeling problem formulations including case studies. This book is aimed at researchers, professionals and graduate students in Environmental Engineering, Computational Engineering/Computer Science, Modeling/Simulation, Environmental Management, Environmental Modeling and Operations Research.