Environmental Protection Agency BIOSCREEN Overview  

BIOSCREEN is a natural attenuation screening model that simulates monitored natural attenuation (MNA) of dissolved hydrocarbon species at petroleum fuel release sites. The software is based on the Domenico analytical solute transport model and is programmed in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. BIOSCREEN is designed to simulate biodegradation by both aerobic and anaerobic processes and can be used to predict the length of a hydrocarbon plume. The user must specify a source term as well as hydrogeologic and geochemical parameters.

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 BIOSCREEN HOME SITE
Functions
  • Analytical Modeling
  • Remedial Process Selection
    		•
    Input
  • Tabular File: NA
  • Graphical File: NA
    		• Output
    • Tabular File: *.xls
    • Graphical File: *.xls
    • Print Report: Yes
    Contaminants
    • Petroleum
    		 Media
    • Groundwater
    Technical Team Members
    • Hydrogeologist
    Comments  
     
    BIOSCREEN- data loading
    • Data must be entered manually. Data is entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
    BIOSCREEN- graphic loading
    • Not applicable.
    BIOSCREEN - logical flow
    • A novice can operate this program if provided with an appropriate parameter value.
    BIOSCREEN - expert knowledge
    • A hydrogeologist should be consulted to estimate the hydrogeologic parameter values that are necessary to enter into the program.
    • Site-specific data should be used whenever possible to estimate model parameters so that the model is representative of potential site conditions. Although site-specific data are always preferred, "typical" ranges of many of the input parameters are provided in the manual. The selection of "typical" parameters should be reviewed by the appropriate expert (hydrogeologist, chemist, or environmental engineer).
    BIOSCREEN - functionality
    • Switching between views is easy. If the graphs and the sample data appear inconsistent, the user can easily switch to the data entry screen to change values.
    • Observed data are used for comparison, but not to run the model. Observed data plot as points on the graphs of the simulated concentrations.
    • The animation for the centerline portion of the model is a useful feature. It moves quickly, but it is possible to scroll slowly through each year. The capability to animate the 3-D Array plots is not provided at this time.
    BIOSCREEN- documentation
    • The users guide includes explanations and tips about how to enter data and what to expect from the program. The guide also includes mathematical and computational formulas in the appendices for reference.
    • Information in the on-screen Help file comes from the users guide. There is more background information in the user's guide than in the on-screen help material.
    BIOSCREEN - output
    • Output is provided in the form of a centerline model or an array. For the centerline model, concentrations are shown for the top of the contaminated zone along the centerline of the plume. Model predictions are also shown in tabular format and may be printed.
    • The array function presents a 3-D graphic of the contamination on an 11-cell-long by 5-cell-wide grid. The array will not plot unless the data are located within this grid.
    • For the array function, concentration data are shown only in milligrams per liter (mg/L). When the concentration is in micrograms per liter (ug/L), the scale is too coarse.
    BIOSCREEN - sources
    • Version 1.4 downloaded November 24, 2004.
    • Users Guide Version 1.
    • Users Guide Addendum Version 2.2.
    • Help Menus.
    Note that this DST matrix is under active construction. Comments and suggestions about the structure
    or content of this website should be sent to Mike Adam .
    This web site contains technology information from private contractors and government agencies and is for informational purposes only. EPA cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service, by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favor of the United States Government.