Mathematical models and their role in understanding water acidification: an evaluation using Birkenes model as an example

Computer models play an integral part in the effort to understand the complicated processes which affect ecosystems subjected to acid precipitation. Recent work using the Birkenes Model of stream acidification is presented in detail. Through the use of extended simulation periods, two conservative t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 1989, Vol.18 (3), p.192-199
Main Authors: Stone, A, Seip, H.M. (Oslo Univ. (Norway). Dept. of Chemistry)
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acid rain
Acidification
Acids
Aluminum
Computer simulation
Construction
CONTAMINACION DEL AGUA
CONTROL DE LA CONTAMINACION
Hydrological modeling
Hydrology
LUTTE ANTI-POLLUTION
Mathematical models
METHODE STATISTIQUE
METODOS ESTADISTICOS
MODELE
Modeling
MODELOS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION DE L'EAU
Precipitation
Simulations
Soil acidification
STATISTICAL METHODS
Sulfates
Sulfur
Utilities
WATER POLLUTION
Watersheds
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Summary:Computer models play an integral part in the effort to understand the complicated processes which affect ecosystems subjected to acid precipitation. Recent work using the Birkenes Model of stream acidification is presented in detail. Through the use of extended simulation periods, two conservative tracers and a mathematical optimization routine, it is possible to better evaluate the model's ability to simulate a natural system. The in-depth analysis of the model structure indicated a few weak points in its current structure. A short comparison is made with other acidification models. It is concluded that these simulation models are very useful for testing hypotheses and give important feedback to field studies. Model predictions which remain sensitive to model details must still be treated with caution and more effort should be put into model validation. However, computer simulations have provided the chemist with a powerful tool to evaluate current thinking regarding chemical processes involved in environmental problems such as acid precipitation.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209