Description:

Definition of the environmental system, modelling procedure, multicompartment analysis, verification and validation. Methods of determination of submodels parameters. Chosen methods of solution of ordinary and partial differential equation. Simulations with codes modelling simple and/or complex environmental systems. Practical demonstration and exercise: contaminant sorption on natural materials, modelling population dynamics, speciation and migration codes.

Contents:

1. Physical and mathematical models, models as a management tool, models as a scientific tool
2. System, types of behaviour: dynamic, chaotic, catastrophic.
3. Basic types of ecological models: "black box" and conceptual models, multicomartment analysis.
4. Overview of basic methods of solution of ordinary and partial differential equations.
5. Computer model, analogy and digital modelling.
6. Verification and validation of computer model, analysis of uncertainty influences.
7. Equilibrium and kinetic models of partial models, fitting of parameters of partial processes.
8. Biological and environmental models of population dynamics.

Seminar contents:

1. Solution of ordinary and partial differential equations
2. Simulation experiments: factor and optimalization modelling.
3. Contaminants sorption on a natural material.
4. Speciation of radionuclides in complex systems.
5. Modelling of diffusion in the GoldSim environment.
6. Migration of radionuclides in the near-field of repositories.

Recommended literature:

Key references:
1. Jorgensen S.E.: Fundamentals of Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, Amsterdam 1988
Recommended references:
1. Grenthe I., Puigdomenech I. (Eds.): Modelling in Aquatic Chemistry, NEA OECD, Paris 1997

Keywords:

Mathematical model, ecological modelling, speciation codes, migration of radionuclides, modelling population dynamics.

Abbreviations used:

Semester:

• W ... winter semester (usually October - February)
• S ... spring semester (usually March - June)
• W,S ... both semesters

Mode of completion of the course:

• A ... Assessment (no grade is given to this course but credits are awarded. You will receive only P (Passed) of F (Failed) and number of credits)
• GA ... Graded Assessment (a grade is awarded for this course)
• EX ... Examination (a grade is awarded for this course)
• A, EX ... Examination (the award of Assessment is a precondition for taking the Examination in the given subject, a grade is awarded for this course)

Weekly load (hours per week):

• P ... lecture
• C ... seminar
• L ... laboratory
• R ... proseminar
• S ... seminar