The electronic encapsulation of knowledge for groundwater Quality management

Abstract

Computers have become the main tool used in Ground Water Quality Management (GWQM). Computer software has been developed to encapsulate, process and present information on groundwater pollution problems. Continuing demands for more efficient handling of information have resulted in increasing integration of the software into Decision Support Systems (DSSs). Encapsulation and integration of both quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (knowledge) information are required to support decision-making processes. A review of current achievements in the software integration and especially in knowledge encapsulation reveals no clear developing directions (research lines) in these fields. Attention must be therefore directed to: (1) the main GWQM tasks, seen in the light of knowledge encapsulation, and (2) postulates and techniques of Artificial Intelligence (AI) related to knowledge encapsulation and DSS development. The case-specific nature of groundwater pollution problems and a lack of formalised expertise in GWQM are the main difficulties in development of knowledge-containing systems. Work on the taxonomy of GWQM tasks and related knowledge is recommended to enable broader application of AI in knowledge encapsulation, as well as in development of DSSs for GWQM as a whole.