Relational Management and Display of Site Environmental Data

Table of Contents

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

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