SimSurvey – Simulation environment for the conception, evaluation and analysis of strategies for the investigation of soil pollution

Investigating soil pollution is an important field for environmentalists. Because soil testing and chemical analysis are time-consuming and expensive their budgeting is always extremely tight, and it is very important to select a testing strategy which takes into account the patterns of the often extremely heterogeneous distribution of pollutants in soil.

In the training of environmental scientists and environmental engineers the basics of geostatistics and random test theory are imparted and deployed in the context of project-oriented teaching (case studies). However, there is no means of objectively checking the value of the selected testing strategy or of comparing it with alternative random testing plans and estimation methods.

The proposed «SimSurvey» project will prepare a simulation environment in which students can try out testing strategies in a virtual pollution area under predetermined budget conditions. In it, faculty can vary the pollution scienario and correspondingly increase the complexity of students’ learning progress. Students can perform virtual testing and statistically evaluate the results of analyses. They can repeat the investigation using a different strategy and compare the precision of estimates. Finally, they can compare the estimates made via their random tests with virtual “real” values.

The possibility to test out and learn about geostatistical and random testing theories online using practical examples is new and innovative, and presents clear advantages over previous teaching methods.

The required know-how in spatial statistics, pedological basics and the latest internet technology is covered in the project team, as is experience of investigations into hazardous sites and soil pollution and expertise in creating internal teaching software. This will ensure the targeted, suitable and realistic realisation of the environment.