1st Edition

Relational Management and Display of Site Environmental Data

By David Rich Copyright 2002
    448 Pages 160 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    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.

    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

    Biography

    David Rich