Simulation of Contaminant Transport A mass transport model is a mathematical representation of an actual system (e.g., the subsurface environment) that can be used to simulate (and hence predict) the release, transport (movement) and ultimate fate of mass within the system. The "mass" that is typically simulated is that of chemical contaminants that have been accidentally released or intentionally disposed of within the system. As a result, such models are often referred to as contaminant transport models. The GoldSim Technology Group has developed the Contaminant Transport Module (GoldSim CT and GoldSim RT) to support the simulation of both simple and complex contaminant transport problems. What kind of problems can be simulated using the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module? What processes can be simulated using the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module? How does the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module provide this functionality? Where has the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module been used? What kind of problems can be simulated using the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module? By using the Contaminant Transport Module to predict concentrations and fluxes at various locations in an environmental system, you can apply GoldSim to a wide variety of environmental problems, such as: Investigation of the transport and fate of contaminants (or natural components) in aquifers, wetlands, lakes and other complex ecosystems; Evaluation of the performance of existing or proposed landfills, hazardous waste sites and engineered disposal facilities; and Simulation of the transport and fate of pharmaceuticals and other compounds within biological systems (e.g., physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling). What processes can be simulated using the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module? The Contaminant Transport Module allows the user to explicitly represent the following processes: Release of mass (e.g., contaminants) from specified sources, taking into account both the failure of containers (e.g., drums) in which the contaminants are disposed; and the degradation of any materials in which the contaminants are bound (e.g., grout, metal, glass). (This feature is available in GoldSim RT only). Transport of contaminants through multiple transport pathways within an environmental system (e.g., aquifers, streams, atmosphere). The transport pathways can consist of multiple transport and storage media (e.g., groundwater, surface water, air, soil), and both advective and diffusive transport mechanisms can be directly simulated. Transport processes incorporate solubility constraints and partitioning of contaminants between the media present in the system, and can include the effects of complex chemical reactions and decay processes. Biological transfer of contaminants within or between organisms. Like physical transport pathways, biological transport pathways can consist of any number of transport and storage media (e.g., blood, tissue) which can be linked by a variety of transport mechanisms. In addition, GoldSim can be linked directly to geochemical equilibrium codes in order to simulate complex geochemical processes. How does the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module provide this functionality? The Contaminant Transport Module provides this functionality by adding specialized elements for representing contaminant species, transport media, transport pathways, contaminant sources, and receptors to the GoldSim simulation framework: By linking these environmental elements together (and integrating them with GoldSim's basic elements), you can build simple and complex contaminant transport simulations: Where has the GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module been used? The GoldSim Contaminant Transport Module has been used to address complex contaminant transport problems worldwide. To date, most of these applications have been in the areas of radioactive waste management, mining and water resources. A few of these applications are listed below: Simulation of a High Level Radioactive Waste Repository (Yucca Mountain) Environmental Assessment of a Diamond Mine in Canada Fate and Transport Modeling at a Uranium Mine Open Pit Mine Water Quantity and Quality Operational Model Evaluation of Alternative Closure Strategies for a Smelter Site Modeling Long-Term Health and Environmental Risk at the Nevada Test Site

Download Evaluation