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Total Risk Integrated Methodology (TRIM) -
   TRIM.FaTE

Total Risk Integrated Methodology (TRIM)
Multimedia Fate and Transport Modeling

TRIM.FaTE (download model) is a spatially explicit, compartmental mass balance model that describes the movement and transformation of pollutants over time, through a user-defined, bounded system that includes both biotic and abiotic compartments. Outputs include pollutant concentrations in multiple environmental media and biota, and also biota and pollutant intakes (e.g., mg/kg-day), all of which provide exposure estimates for ecological receptors (i.e., plants and animals). The output concentrations from TRIM.FaTE can also be used as inputs to a human ingestion exposure model, such as TRIM.Expo-ingestion, to estimate human exposures.

Significant features of TRIM.FaTE include: (1) a fully coupled multimedia model; (2) user flexibility in defining scenarios, in terms of the links among compartments, and number and types of compartments, as appropriate for the application spatial and temporal scale; (3) transparent, user-accessible algorithm and input library that allows the user to review and modify how environmental transfer and transformation processes are modeled; (4) a full accounting of all of the pollutant as it moves among environmental compartments during simulation; (5) an embedded procedure to characterize uncertainty and variability; and (6) the capability to provide exposure estimates for ecological receptors.

In addition to external publications and presentations at external scientific meetings, TRIM.FaTE has undergone SAB review.

In its current version, the model provides an important alternative to other currently available multimedia models. Feedback on model performance and usability are encouraged to inform our uses of the model and help guide further model refinement.  

Currently available TRIM.FaTE documents include the following:

To download the TRIM.FaTE model, go to "TRIM.FaTE download page".

TRIM.FaTE Current Documents

Technical Support Document, Volume 1, Addendum (2003) (PDF) (4 pp, 64 KB)

Technical Support Document Volume 2, Addendum (2003) (PDF) (6 pp, 442 KB)

Technical Support Document, Volume 1 (2002)

9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Cover
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Preface
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Chapter 1-Introduction
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Chapter 2-Introduction to TRIM.FaTE.
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Chapter 3-Overview of TRIM.FaTE Concepts and Terminology.
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Chapter 4-Conceptual Design and Mass Balance Framework for TRIM.FaTE.
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Chapter 5-Application of TRIM.FaTE.
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Chapter 6-Treatment of Uncertainty and Variability
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Chapter 7-References
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Appendix A-Glossary
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Appendix B-Integrated External Models or Measured Data into TRIM.FaTE.
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Appendix C-Prototype Features
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Appendix D-TRIM.FaTE Computer Framework
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Technical Report Data
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume I: Description of Module (EPA-453/R-02-011a)-Backcover

Technical Support Document, Volume 2 (2002)

9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Cover
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Preface
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 1-Introduction
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 2-Algorithm Overview
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 3-Air Algorithms
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 4-Surface Water and Sediment Algorithms
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 5-Soil Algorithms
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 6-Aquatic Biota Algorithms
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 7-Terrestrial Algorithms Part APart B
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Chapter 8-References
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Appendix A: Derivation of Mercury-Specific Algorithms
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Appendix B: Derivation of PAH-Specifc Algorithms
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Appendix C: Steady-State Mode
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Appendix D: Tables of TRIM.FaTE Input Parameters
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-Technical Report Data
9/02 Total Risk Integrated Methodology. TRIM.FaTE Technical Support Document. Volume II: Description of Chemical Transport and Transformation Algorithms (EPA-453/R-02-011b)-backcover

Evaluation Report, Vol. 1. Approach and Initial Findings (2002) (PDF) (158pp, 966 KB)

Evaluation Report, Vol. 2. Model Performance Focusing on Mercury Test Case (2005) (PDF) (274 pp, 4.3 MB)

Evaluation Report, Vol. 2. Appendices (2005) (PDF) (262 pp, 1.3 MB)

Evaluation Report, Vol. 3. Model Comparison Focusing on Dioxin Test Case (2005) (PDF) (49 pp, 8.2 MB)

Evaluation Report, Vol. 3. Appendices (2005) (PDF) (86 pp, 11.1 MB)

 

User's Guide
Module Description Date File
Introduction Introduction to the TRIM.FaTE User's Guide modules. 9/2005
Module Overview Overview of the primary sections and topics covered in each module. 9/2005
1  Software Overview Instructions on how to navigate TRIM.FaTE software. 9/2005
2  Overview - Creating a New Scenario Overview of steps required to set up a new scenario. Includes flow chart of scenario set-up steps, a brief description of each step, references to other User's Guide modules, and a brief overview of the modeling process. 9/2005
3  Library and Scenario Data Files Description of import files, input data files, and export files, along with information on how these files are used and formatting/syntax requirements for each type of file. 9/2005
4  Adding New Components to a Library Description of the process for adding new chemicals, properties, property types, algorithms, compartment types, and composite compartments to a TRIM.FaTE library. 9/2005
5  Developing the Spatial Layout Instructions on how to set up the volume element import file and recommendations on how to define the geographic extent, air/surface parcels, and volume elements based on site- and application-specific characteristics. 9/2005
6  Implementing Biota in a TRIM.FaTE Scenario Overview of concepts, properties, and steps important for the user to understand when implementing biota in a TRIM.FaTE scenario. 9/2005
7  Source Characterization Conceptual description of chemical sources in TRIM.FaTE (e.g., facilities) and steps for how to configure a source. 9/2005
8  Links and Algorithms How to set up and edit links, relationship between links and algorithms, and general guidance related to algorithms. 9/2005
9  Scenario Properties Descriptions of basic scenario properties and how they are set up in the model. 9/2005
10  Compiling and Processing Meteorological Data Inputs Required meteorology data and processing of related input file for a scenario. 9/2005
11  Estimating Runoff and Erosion Fractions for Surface Soil Overview of how to estimate the fraction of total erosion and fraction of total runoff link properties that must be assigned for links between surface soil, surface water, and sinks. 9/2005
12  Pointers for Setting Up a TRIM.FaTE Scenario Additional information pertinent to setting up a scenario. 9/2005
13  Operation of TRIM.FaTE in Steady-State Mode Summary of set-up requirements for running TRIM.FaTE in steady state mode. 9/2005
14  Simulation Results and Analyses Describes the different types of outputs generated by TRIM.FaTE and options for reporting, processing, and viewing results. 9/2005
15  TRIM.FaTE Sensitivity and Monte Carlo Analyses Description of how to implement sensitivity and Monte Carlo analyses in the TRIM.FaTE framework. 3/2003
16  Tables of TRIM.FaTE Input Parameters Set of tables that summarize all current TRIM.FaTE inputs with parameter descriptions. 9/2005

TRIM Historical Documents

Documents provided for 1999 SAB Advisory

Documents provided for 1998 SAB Advisory

TRIM.FaTE Publications & Presentations

Efroymson RE and Murphy DL. 2001. Ecological Risk Assessment of Multimedia Hazardous Air Pollutants: Estimating Exposure and Effects. Sci Total Environ 274:219-230.

2002 Joint Meeting of the International Societies of Exposure Assessment and Environmental Epidemiology. 12-16 August, 2002. Vancouver, Canada.

21st Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 12-16 November, 2000. Nashville, TN.

    Total Risk Integrated Methodology (TRIM): Focus on the Fate, Transport and Ecological Exposure Module (TRIM.FaTE). Murphy DL, Palma T, Hetes RG, Richmond HM, Vasu AB.
    Conceptual design and mass balance framework for TRIM.FaTE. Lyon BF, McKone TE and Bennett DH.
    Evaluation of a Complex Environmental Model: The TRIM.FaTE Example. Maddalena RL, Bennett DH, Murphy D, Hetes R.
    Biotic Compartments in TRIM.FaTE, a Fate, Transport and Ecological Exposure Model for Air Pollutants. Efroymson RA, Jones DS, Lyon BF, Bennett DH, Maddalena, RL, Murphy DL.
    Determining the appropriate level of model complexity. Bennett DH, McKone, TE, Hetes R.
    Model performance evaluation of TRIM.FaTE, a fate, transport and ecological exposure model for air pollutants. Burch DF, Lee RM, Lyon BF, Murphy DL.
    Estimation of uncertainty and variability within the total risk integrated methodology (TRIM). Hetes RG and Langstaff JE.
    The TRIM Computer Framework. Fine SS, Eyth AM, Lyon BF, Palma T.,
    Spatial resolution of TRIM.FaTE, a Fate, Transport and Ecological Exposure model for air pollutants. Bennett DH, Burch DF, Lee RM, Lyon BF, Murphy DL.

20th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 14-18 November, 1999. Philadelphia, PA.

    An Ecological Risk Assessment Methodology for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Efroymson, R.A., Jones, D.S., Vasu, A.

19th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 15-19 November, 1998. Charlotte, NC.

    TRIM: A Multimedia, Multipathway Framework for Assessing Human and Ecological Exposure and Risk. Vasu, A.B., Hetes, R.G., Palma, T., McKone, T.E.

Annual Meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis. December 7-10, 1997. Washington, DC.

    Introduction to the Total Risk Integrated Model. A.B. Vasu, T.R. Johnson, T.E. McKone, T. Palma, M.G. Dusetzina.
    EcoFaTE: A TRIM Module for Linking Multimedia Environmental Systems with Biotic Domains. T. R. Johnson, G.W. Suter II, T. Palma.
    A Generalized , Mass-Conserving Multimedia Transport and Transformation Model: Development of Transfer Factors. S. Guha T.E. McKone, D.H. Bennett, B.F. Lyon
    TRIM: Mathematical and Numerical Aspects. B.F. Lyon, S. Guha, T.E. McKone.
    Building Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis into the TRIM Framework. D.H. Bennett, T.E. McKone, M.G. Dusetzina.
    A Dynamic Model for Terrestrial Ecological Exposure to Toxic Air Pollutants. R.A. Efroymson, B.E. Sample, B.F. Lyon, G.W. Suter II, C.T. Hunsaker, A.W. Simcock, and D.H. Bennett.
    Predicting Pollutant Mass Transfers within Aquatic Systems using the EcoFaTE Model. R.D. Zimmer, J.Dee, D.S. Jones.
    Estimating Multi-pathway human and ecosystem exposures within the Total Risk Integrated Model (TRIM). T.E. McKone, Ted Johnson, G.W. Suter II.
    EcoFaTE Model Parameterization and Verification. C.T. Hunsaker, B.F. Lyon, T.E. McKone, V. Kilaru, A. W. Simcock.

18th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 16-20 November, 1997. San Francisco, CA.

    A Multimedia Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Methodology for Air Pollutants. T. McKone, S. Guha, T. Johnson, B. Lyon, G. Suter, A. Vasu.
    Use of EcoFaTE in Modeling Pollutant Mass Transfers and Subsequent Risks within Aquatic Systems. R. Zimmer, J. Dee, D. Jones, B. Sample, G. Suter.
    A Dynamic Model for Terrestrial Ecological Exposure to Toxic Air Pollutants. R. Efroymson, B. Sample, C. Hunsaker, B. Lyon, A. Simcock, and G. Suter.

Example areas being considered for model or library refinement:

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