Chapter 10 Models for water and air quality management

Abstract

This chapter elaborates on the management models for water and air quality that have been developed over the last years. The chapter describes the fundamental models of pollutant transport and transformation in water and air. It includes a mathematical description of pollutant transport and transformation appropriate to the particular medium. Management models that address problems of water quality and those that address air quality have similar forms. The issues inherent in water quality management constitute classic forms in public sector problems. Efficiency objectives overlay standards that are required to be met, and equity challenges the derived solutions pushing policy toward feasible and just solutions. The descriptive model for river water quality; management model for water quality in rivers; and regional treatment plant siting are described in the chapter. From a mathematical programming perspective, the fundamental issues in air quality management are issues concerning the allocation of limited resources. The physical and chemical processes that govern air pollutant transport and transformation are similar and identical to those for water-based pollutants. The chapter discusses the long-range transport modelling and optimization models for air quality management.