Defensible Science-Based Conceptual and Implementation Models

Understanding contaminant release, distribution, and transport are critical for interim and final disposition solutions at waste management and disposal facilities. The first step in EPA's Data Quality Objective (DQO) Process is to State the Problem. EPA QA/G-4 states that:

"It is critical to carefully develop an accurate conceptual model of the environmental problem in this step of the DQO Process, as this model will serve as the basis for all subsequent inputs and decisions. Errors in the development of the conceptual model will be perpetuated throughout the other steps of the DQO Process …"

The Applied Geology and Geochemistry Group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is dedicated to the development of scientifically defensible conceptual models and management of technical information and data. Good site characterization and data management are key to resolving technical issues and preparing defensible assessment-specific data packages. This is an iterative process conducted in coordination with conceptual model development, performance assessment, and decision-making.

Our capabilities and services include:

Full scope multi-disciplinary site characterization programs tailored to the problem to be solved and client needs.
Providing a clear audit trail from the identification of significant features, events, and processes (FEPs) to the conceptual and numerical models.
Use of the FEPs analysis methodology and logic flow/process relationship diagrams (PRDs) to provide a systematic framework for development of the conceptual models, addressing uncertainty, and documenting assessment modeling decisions and assumptions.
Optimized data collection and information management to address the multiple objectives often involved with complex environmental problems.
Appropriate level of quality assurance and data management. Data quality will be assured through the application of the data quality objectives process and the preparation of well defined characterization/sampling and analysis plans (including procedures).
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Data, Information, and Project Record management through innovative web based data and information retrieval/exchanges system.
Assembly and maintenance of defensible conceptual models and technical baseline information
Assembly of assessment-specific data packages to describe the scenarios to be assessed, the conceptual models and assumptions used to develop the numerical/implementation models, and to provide the input data for the assessment models.
Data collection using a broad array of field and laboratory technologies and technical disciplines, including drilling and sampling, geology, hydrology, geophysics, geochemistry, statistics and geostatistics, remote sensing, atmospheric sciences, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, toxicology, and health physics.
Data analysis using sophisticated analytical and numerical interpretation methods to integrate or fuse multiple data sets to maximize characterization results as well as advanced computer-graphic generation and display technologies and fate and transport modeling.