Rich Relational Management and Display of Site Environmental Data

Erscheinungsjahr 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4200-3222-2
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 448 Seiten

When your environmental project reaches the point where the amount of data seems overwhelming, you will need a robust tool to help you manage it. Written by a recognized expert and software author with over 25 years of industry experience, Relational Management and Display of Site Environmental Data begins with an overview of site data management concepts, then progresses through relational data management theory, the design of the database tool, and implementing a data management system. It includes detailed information on data output including mapping and GIS applications, practical suggestions about working with laboratories, and concludes with pitfalls, horror stories, and successes in site data management. Current topics such as Internet data delivery and eXtensible Markup Language (XML) are also covered.

The text provides you with the skills needed to effectively implement and operate an environmental data management system. The concepts covered can be applied to any system, from stand-alone through client-server to Web-based. Relational Management and Display of Site Environmental Data combines the fundamentals of data management and display with the author's many years of experience to help you create your own data management system or make a better-informed decision when selecting a commercial solution.

Zielgruppe

Environmental engineers and consultants, environmental professionals in state and federal agencies, project managers, environmental chemists

Autoren/Hrsg.

Rich, David

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Umwelttechnik | Umwelttechnologie Luftreinhaltung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

OVERVIEW AND CONCEPTS

Overview Of Environmental Data Management
Concern for the environment
The Computer Revolution
Convergence - Environmental data management

Concept of Data vs. Information

EMS vs. EMIS vs. EDMS
Site Data Management Concepts

Purpose of data management
Types of data storage
Responsibility for data management

Understanding the data

Relational Data Management Theory
What is relational data management?
History of relational data management
Data normalization

Structured Query Language

Benefits of normalization
Automated normalization
Data Content
Data content overview

Project technical data

Project administrative data
Project document data
Reference data
Document management

SYSTEM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
General Design Issues
Database management software

Database location options
Distributed vs. centralized databases

The data model
Data access requirements

Government EDMS systems
Other issues

Database Elements

Hardware and software components
Units of data storage

Databases and files
Tables ("databases")
Fields (columns)
Records (rows)
Queries (views)

Other database objects

The User Interface
General user interface issues
Conceptual guidelines
Guidelines for specific elements

Documentation

Implementing the Database System
Designing the system
Buy or build?
Implementing the system
Managing the system

Ongoing Data Management Activities
Managing the workflow
Managing the data

Administering the system

GATHERING ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Site Investigation and Remediation
Overview of environmental regulations

The Investigation and Remediation Process

Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements
Gathering Samples and Data in the Field
General sampling issues
Soil
Sediment
Groundwater

Surface water

Decontamination of equipment

Shipping of samples

Air
Other media
Overview of parameters

Environmental Laboratory Analysis

Laboratory workflow

Sample preparation
Analytical methods
Other analysis issues

MAINTAINING THE DATA

Importing Data
Manual entry
Electronic import

Tracking imports
Undoing an import
Tracking quality
Editing Data

Manual editing

Automated editing
Maintaining and Tracking Data Quality
QA vs. QC
The QAPP
QC samples and analyses
Data quality procedures

Database support for data quality and usability

Precision vs. Accuracy

Protection from loss

Data Verification and Validation
Types of data review

Meaning of Verification
Meaning of Validation

The verification and validation process

Verification and validation checks

Software assistance with verification and validation
Managing Multiple Projects and Databases
One file or many?
Sharing data elements
Moving between databases
Limiting site access

USING THE DATA
Data Selection
Text-based queries

Graphical selection
Query-by-form

Reporting and Display
Text output

Formatted reports
Formatting the result

Interactive output

Electronic distribution of data

Graphs

Graph overview
General concepts

Types of graphs

Graph examples
Curve fitting

Graph theory

Cross Sections, Fence Diagrams, and 3-D Displays
Lithologic and wireline logs

Cross sections

Profiles

Fence diagrams and stick displays
Block Diagrams and 3-D displays
Mapping and GIS

Mapping concepts

Mapping software

Displaying data
Contouring and modeling
Specialized displays
Statistics and Environmental Data
Statistical concepts

Types of statistical analyses
Outliers and comparison with limits

Toxicology and risk assessment

Integration With Other Programs
Export - import

Digital output
Export - import advantages and disadvantages

Direct connection

Data warehousing and data mining
Data integration

PROBLEMS, BENEFITS, AND SUCCESSES
Avoiding Problems
Manage expectations
Use the right tool

Prepare for problems with the data

Plan project administration

Increasing the chance of a positive outcome
Success Stories
Financial benefits

Technical benefits
Subjective benefits

The Future Of Environmental Data Management

APPENDICES
Needs Assessment Example
Data model Example
Introduction
Conventions

Primary Tables
Lookup tables

Reference tables

Utility tables
Data Transfer Standard

Purpose

Database background information
Data content

Acceptable file formats

Submittal requirements

Non-conforming data
The Parameters
Inorganic parameters

Organic parameters

Other parameters
Method reference

Exercises
Database redesign exercise
Data normalization exercise
Group discussion - data management and your organization
Database redesign exercise solution

Data normalization exercise solution
Database software exercises

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX