CalTOX, a multimedia total-exposure model for hazardous-wastes sites. Part 2, The dynamic multimedia transport and transformation model.

摘要

Environmental scientists recognize that the environment functions as a complex, interconnected system. A scientifically based risk-management strategy for many contaminants requires a comprehensive and integrated assessment of local and regional transport and transformation processes. In response to this need, environmental scientists have developed multimedia models that simulate the movement and transformation of chemicals as they spread through air, water, plants, soils, sediments, surface water, and ground water. In these models, each component of the environment is treated as a homogeneous subsystem or compartment that can exchange water, nutrients, and chemical contaminants with other adjacent compartments. In this report, we describe the development of a dynamic multimedia model that can be used to assess time-varying concentrations of contaminants released continuously to air, the soil surface, or surface water or introduced initially to subsurface soil layers. We examine how Chemical properties affect both the ultimate route and quantity of human and biotic contact.