Objective:
The objective of this research effort is to develop a strategy for incorporating model abstraction techniques into ground-water monitoring and performance assessment programs. The enhanced abstraction strategies and models shall be tested using site-specific databases for specified contaminant sources introduced and monitored in shallow subsurface environments.

Approach:
Analyze the OPE3 tracer experiment using highly-realistic model(s) and subsets of those model(s) with varying degrees of abstraction to simulate a range of model outcomes for comparison to the detailed monitoring datasets; conduct sensitivity analyses on various parameters which were monitored to determine the impact each has on the overall model; use the spatio-temporal geo-statistics and genetic algorithms to optimize the locations and types of sensors as required by different conceptual models; use the models abstraction to develop a screening approach for determining the appropriate model abstraction techniques for modeling a specific site.