A Decision Support Software Package
Note: This Decision Support System is undergoing a technical review within the EPA's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program. Results of the review are due out at the end of Summer 1999. For more information on the ETV program, visit their web site at: http://www.epa.gov/etv/
SamplingFX is a decision support tool intended for use in designing sampling and analysis strategies, as well as in quantifying uncertainties in the volume of contamination estimated from a sampling program. The following attributes apply:
Decision support tool to optimize the placement of surface soil sampling locations to delineate the nature and extent of a contaminant plume.
SamplingFX is an outgrowth of the DOE code,the Optimization Program To Minimize Analytical Sampling (OPTMAS), which was developed at Sandia National Laboratories. SamplingFX is a decision support tool intended to provide defensible information regarding the necessary number and location of surface soil samples to delineate the nature and extent of contaminant plumes at a waste site. The SamplingFX methodology comprises several steps. First, a geostatistical simulation technique is employed in a stochastic modeling scheme (i.e., Monte Carlo simulations). Many runs are made to quantify the uncertainty in the nature and extent of contamination. During this step, the predicted contaminant distributions are compared to known concentrations within the plume, and the output is conditioned to these data. Next, a probability field describing expected plume distributions is generated from the stochastic output. Finally, an optimization methodology based on Operations Research methods is employed to determine the location of subsequent surface soil sampling locations. This technology is intended to guide surface soil sampling placement during characterization by providing near real-time feedback to the site operater. The code is being developed for a PC Windows and a Macintosh platform. A test case was run for conditions at one of Sandia's firing and testing sites, where heavy metal and radionuclide contamination exists, and is currently under investigation. The results of this test case, as well as the basic methodology description, are currently being documented in a Sandia report.
Preliminary results from the above mentioned case study are shown in the following graphs:
These plots from SamplingFX show the difference in cleanup volumes between a residential and an industrial land use assumption. The code yields volume estimates, including uncertainty, of contaminated soil for a user defined concentration threshold. The following graphic illustrates how this could be used in comparing cleanup costs:
Future work on the SamplingFX methodology includes the added capability to utilize conventional statistical sampling methodologies (including judgemental sampling), and to quantify spatial variability aspects of the results from these approaches. Utilization of the SamplingFX methodology could save millions of dollars in unnecessary surface soil sampling at waste sites.
DecisionFX plans to release the SamplingFX package for commercial sale at the end of 1999. Pricing will be reasonable for an environmental analysis package (probably about $500). We hope to offer the package free-of-charge to environmental regulators, in the hope that they will evaluate SamplingFX for appropriateness of use. DecisionFX would appreciate an email inquiry from prospective buyers of this product to help in marketing, packaging, training, and support considerations. If you express interest, we will keep you apprised of the pending release and planned training activities. email address: info@decisionfx.com
An example of the SamplingFX methodology applied to a site at Sandia National Laboratories is given in our Case Studies section of this web site.
(this section is still under development)
Return to Software Products page