No label defined (Q4237280)

This book has two objectives: first, to provide an introduction to the most important environmental issues; second, to illustrate how mathematical models can be used in investigating these issues. The book is divided into two parts. Part 1 (chapters 1 to 4) gives an elementary introduction to environmental modelling, including ground water and air quality models, and hazardous materials' management. This part uses no calculus, except for exponential function, and can be used in interdisciplinary courses for a wide audience. The material is presented as a combination of text and interspersed exercises, and the emphasis is put on the interplay between physical reasoning and simple mathematical models. Part II (chapters 5 to 7) treats the same topics at a higher mathematical level, making use of partial differential equations and probability theory. The author discusses here Darcy's law for isotropic and anisotropic media, Laplace's equation and inverse problems, explains relations between diffusion equation and statistics, and finally introduces various submodels for hazardous materials. A PC compatible diskette contains a spreadsheet program for Gaussian plume calculations, and a hazmat modeling package, thus enhancing the material presented in the book. Written with originality and clarity, this book is a welcome addition to the educational literature on environmental modelling.