Contamination Assessment and Site-Management Tool (CAST): A Browser-Based Tool for Site Assessment

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Groundwater dependency is increasing globally, while millions of potentially contaminated sites are yet to be characterized for contamination levels. In particular, groundwater contamination due to light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) continues to be a global challenge. Mathematical approaches (i.e., analytical, semi-analytical, empirical, numerical) are preferred for an initial site assessment to circumvent the high characterization costs and limited site data availability. However, the site-specific nature of contamination restricts the generalization of any single approach. Hence, the requirement is for an easy-to-use computing interface that provides site-specific data management, the selection and use of multiple-model interfaces for computing, and site characterization, with extension for the latest models as they become available. This work provides one such interface called CAST or Contamination Assessment and Site-management Tool. CAST is an open-source browser-based (online/offline) tool that provides an interface for six different analytical models (e.g., BIOSCREEN-AT), a MODFLOW based numerical model, and two empirical models (including a hybrid numerical-analytical model). Additionally, CAST includes interfaces for site data management, their evaluation, and scenario-based modeling. CAST's development is in a modular format, which simplifies the addition of new computing or data interfaces. Furthermore, the entire code-base of CAST is based on open-source (dominantly Python programming) libraries and standards. This further simplifies the modification or extension of this tool. This paper introduces CAST, its different computing, and data management interfaces and provides examples of the tool's functionality primarily for the initial evaluation of contaminated sites.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)275-283
Number of pages9
JournalGroundwater
Volume60
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 34533214
WOS 000700103800001
Mendeley 6981aa01-a757-3f67-85c6-b8126bfdda62
unpaywall 10.1111/gwat.13137

Keywords

Keywords

  • Model, Modflow, Plume, Rates, Models, Theoretical, Groundwater