EPA SITE Program EQuIS Evaluation

May 9, 2002

Abstract: This project consisted of an evaluation of the Environmental Quality Information System (EQuIS) software designed by EarthSoft, Inc. as an environmental data management and analysis platform for monitoring and remediation projects. In consultation with the EQuIS vendor, six primary modules were tested in this evaluation. These were: Chemistry, Geology, ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS) Interface, Data Verification Module (DVM), CrossTab Report Writer, and Electronic Laboratory Data Checker (ELDC). These modules were chosen for testing because they are the most commonly used. As a part of this evaluation, a demonstration of the technology was conducted by the SITE Program at Science Applications International Corporation’s (SAIC) offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio and McLean, Virginia. The purpose of the demonstration was to determine whether the software performs the functions claimed by EarthSoft, Inc. and to assess the accuracy of the EQuIS output. In addition, demonstration results and other sources of cost information were used to develop detailed cost estimates for full-scale application of the technology.

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Lake Erie Trends in Temperature, Secchi Depth, and Dissolved Oxygen Rates in the Central Basin of Lake Erie, 1983-2002

April 23, 2002

Abstract: We examined temperature trends in a 20-year set of monitoring records collected at multiple deep-water stations in the central basin of Lake Erie. Data collected were statistically corrected (“deseasonalized”) to remove biases resulting from irregular sampling intervals within years. Depthintegrated summer temperature has increased by an average (±SE) of 0.037 ± 0.01°C per year. An observed reduction of Secchi depth (SD) by 7 ± 3 cm/y seems to be unrelated to variation in either total phosphorus (TP) or chlorophyll a concentrations. Midsummer midbasin SD values varied widely between 4 and 10 m, possibly depending on whether phytoplankton were concentrated in the epilimnion (giving shallow SD), or whether phytoplankton had settled out of the epilimnion into the lower layers, giving deeper SD values. Hypolimnetic volume-corrected oxygen depletion (HVOD) rates have also been highly variable, ranging from 2.68 to 4.72 mg/L/mo. These rates are sensitive to production of oxygen in the thermocline and hypolimnion by photosynthetically active phytoplankton that have settled from the epilimnion. The HVOD rate in any year was correlated with the previous year’s TP loading into Lake Erie. Since TP loading trends largely reflect the consequences of improving water treatment through the 1980s and increasing contributions from tributary run-off sediments through the 1990s, there is little direct evidence to suggest that the appearance of dreissenids has directly influenced hypolimnial oxygen depletion rates in the central basin. The observation that central-basin HVOD tracked the reductions in TP loadings through the 1980s may be the first affirmation that central basin hypolimnetic oxygen dynamics can be regulated by phosphorus inputs. This implies that TP loads must continue to be regulated if we wish to minimize oxygen depletion rates as a strategy to reduce the frequency of episodic central basin anoxia.

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Using EQuIS and ArcGIS for Environmental Decision Support at a Large Oil Refinery

April 5, 2002

Environmental site characterization activities at a large industrial facility can be a complex and costly endeavor. The high volume of data generated from groundwater sampling, soil sampling and other field activities is often difficult to manage. As computer technologies have advanced, new data management and data visualization tools have enabled engineers and geologists to efficiently conduct these site characterization activities. This paper will discuss the use of ArcGIS and EarthSoft’s EQuIS Chemistry and EQuIS Geology databases as tools for the management and visualization of environmental data at a large oil refinery.

Using EQuIS and ArcGis for Environmental Decision Support at a Large Oil Refinery

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Geotechnical Data Management in the Army Corps

April 5, 2002

Presentation: The described collaborative approach, innovative, market-leading, proven base technology and combined experience will provide the foundation for effective geotechnical decision support, leading to improved geotechnical design.

Geotechnical Data Management in the Army Corps

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