AP
Environmental Science
Toxic
Spill Simulation
Help
Screens
Some
thoughts on how to begin the process of using GIS to predict the impact of a
toxic spill in Dakota County.
- After logging onto the academic2 server open the apes/toxic spill folders and then the file APES.apr®. Create a new view called "Preliminary assessment". Create a new folder inside the apes/toxic spill folder on academic2. Label this folder with your toxic group number followed by your house, e.g. 7Gold. Save the blank project to this new folder. Your group will work from this project file from now to the end of the study.
- The grid (three APE_GRID files), which includes the location of each group's spill, can be found in the Apes/ Toxic Spill folder. Duplicate these files and copy it into your group's folder.
- In ArcView® add this file as a theme to your preliminary view. Turn on auto-label for the theme and select group number as the field from the popup window. This will display the group assignments. Your group will receive a specific spill within the rectangle labeled by your group's number. At this time you may wish to add the "munbdb" and "ldmak70" themes to help locate your site in the county. These themes are found within the Academic2/GIS folder buried a few levels down.
- Add additional themes that will add to your understanding of the sensitivity of your group's spill site to a spill. USE THE INFORMATION given by the guest presenters! All data can be found on Academic2 (Drive K) in the GIS and GIS Archive folders. The geologic atlas for Dakota County can be found in the GIS/ Geologic folder.
- As you begin each of the three phases of this project create a new view. Label the views with the names of the phases (below). The final save of this GIS project will have three views, each with themes displayed as needed.
This project will be assessed in three phases:
- Environmental Audit Level IA. Your preliminary assessment will be a visual presentation using GIS characterizing the area of your spill site. When your characterization is thorough and details all information given in class you will be given the nature and quantity of the spill.
- Environmental Audit Level IB. In a one-page report characterizing the spill substance, its possible impacts on human health, and potential sources of this material in the area you have been assigned. This last item will be best accomplished by a visit to the area.
- Environmental Audit Level II. Your predictive assessment will be a series of color maps showing plumes of predicted travel of the spill substance. Plumes will show movement and concentration of the substance over reasonable periods of time. Typically these periods will be 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years. Your area and substance may require using different periods. Along with the maps will be a written document in two parts. Part 1 will list the assumptions you made (data not supported directly from the GIS). Part two will detail the thought involved in creating the plumes.
- Environmental Audit Level III. Suggested monitoring measures. The third phase of this project will be a map showing where you would suggest monitoring the flow of the substance to see if your predictions are correct. You should show these locations as a series of symbols on the map. Label the symbols showing where you would place five additional monitors (funding restraints). Then show the suggested placement of 5 additional monitors, and five more after that. You will defend your decisions while showing the map on a computer screen.
- In the end a packet will be assembled with all maps and charts created. A one page paper will explain the course of action suggested by the maps.
The links below will remind you of how to add themes to your display. The pages will walk you through a beginning assessment of a site the City of Burnsville is investigating as a possible amphitheater site.
Display
roads to identify your site location
Add
the direction of flow of groundwater
Check
surface sensitivity to pollution
Add
surface data from the National Wetlands Inventory
Additional research- find aerial photos of your site. They are available from many locations on the web.