Environmental Modelling at IACM-FORTH: Aiming at the Future
by Nikolaos Kampanis
Scientific computing at the Institute of Applied and Computational
Mathematics (IACM) of FORTH has focused on the development of mathematical
and numerical techniques for solving partial differential equations which
describe various physical phenomena and technological processes, and on
their computer implementation in user-friendly integrated systems supporting
the pre- and post-processing of scientific computations, Graphical Information
System applications, parallelization, visualization and decision making
techniques.
Over the years a large amount of expertise has been developed on mathematical
and computational methods for wave propagation problems, especially in
the area of direct and inverse problems of underwater acoustics. For the
direct problem several computational models for predicting the acoustic
field in the sea have been developed and validated. The models are based
on finite element and finite difference discretizations of the Helmholtz
equation and its paraxial approximations and use state-of-the-art mesh
generation and numerical linear algebra techniques. For the inverse problem
several techniques have been proposed and tested for the purposes of identifying
oceanographic and geoacoustic parameters. These techniques couple on site
measurements and computational prediction models.
IACM is now in the process of expanding its involvement in environmental
modelling. IACM is located in Heraklion, on the island of Crete in the
southern part of Greece, an area whose economy is mainly based on local
small-to-medium size industry, agriculture and tourism. The challenge of
preserving environmental quality in the course of future development is
of paramount importance. We intend to relate more of our research to the
study of regional environmental problems and try to support the decision
making processes and the regional planning of the local authorities, with
which we have long established close cooperation.
There are several components of potential environmental modelling activities
in Crete. One is the problem of the dispersion of water transported pollutants.
For example, the disposal of fluid waste from local olive oil processing
plants (Crete has a big olive production and provides significant quantities
of processed olive oil to the domestic and international market) has to
be treated efficiently, since it may be carried away by rain or rivers.
Eutrophication phenomena due to the contamination of water basins by chemical
fertilizers, and pollution of the sea, eg at the south of Crete where extensive
areas are occupied by greenhouses, may destroy usable water supplies and
the coastal zone. Other kinds of solid and fluid waste, due to the increase
of the near-shore population and extensive tourist development very close
to the coastline over decades of kilometres, are disposed in the sea. Hence,
regional planning decisions need to be supported eg on the optimal location
of industrial, touristic and other environment-affecting installations,
especially when these are close to the coast. Therefore the study of coastal
circulation, including local currents and surface motion, is important.
IACM currently participates in two projects related to water resources
management. Both are in collaboration with INRIA, Rocquencourt, and scientists
and institutions from several countries of North Africa and the Middle
East. The first, funded by the Greek-French integrated action PLATON' 98
program, is the numerical simulation and prevention of water reservoir
eutrophication. The other, funded by the European Union DGIII ESPRIT/INCO-DC
program, has as its general theme flood modelling with use of HPCN and
GIS, and aims towards providing tools to support design of policies for
a rational use of water supplies.
Due to its geographic position and regional climate conditions, Crete
has long periods of strong north and south winds, which in some places
are reinforced by complex mountain terrain. Hence, of major importance
is the exploitation of wind and water wave energy resources, and Crete
has been characterized by the Greek government as a privileged region for
development and use of renewable energy sources. Not less important is
the exploitation of solar energy due to the very long cloudless periods.
Installation of wind farms is advancing at several places in Crete and
the collection of field measurements and short-term weather forecasting
will be of major importance for their optimal operational deployment. Agriculture
will also benefit from such activities, that will also aid in the controlled
and localized use of pesticides.
All this leads us to the conclusion that the monitoring of the atmospheric
boundary layer inland and at coastal zones, as well as the simulation and
forecasting of athmospheric flows on a regional basis using computational
models will be very important. IACM has taken several steps to establish
collaboration with scientists in Europe and in the US for these purposes.
Please contact:
Nikolaos Kampanis - IACM-FORTH
Tel: +30 81 39 17 80
E-mail: kampanis@iacm.forth.gr
