Researchers evaluate molecular proper- 

 ties of carcinogens from pollution 

 sources. The image shows electric field 

 vectors for benzopyrene. 



use in performance and reliability testing of Internet 

 technology. 



ASIA: Environmental Assessment Grand 

 Challenges 



EPA is integrating advanced environmental assessment 

 tools into distributed, heterogeneous computing environ- 

 ments. A major focus is on the development of parallel 

 algorithms for atmospheric chemistry, transport, and 

 molecular models to enable more effective study of mul- 

 tipollutant air quality issues, the impact of man-made 

 chemicals on the environment, and the relationship 

 between air and water pollution. In the latter case, the 

 linkage of distinct air and water models will enhance the 

 knowledge of complex interactions of pollutants crossing 

 media boundaries, enable integrated assessment of pol- 

 lutant impacts, and form the foundation for further inte- 

 gration with ecological process models. Such work will 

 ensure that the interaction of multiple pollutants in sev- 

 eral media (such as air and water) are considered when 

 assessing pollutant abatement strategies. These 

 assessments are not feasible without HPCC technology. 



Environmental scientists and regulatory analysts lack 

 adequate assessment tools because computational 

 complexities and slow response time inhibit effective 

 and extensive use of the most advanced environmental 

 assessment tools. Development of a user friendly frame- 

 work that puts the power of HPCC technology and 

 advanced multipollutant environmental models directly 

 in the hands of Federal, state, and industry groups 

 charged with solving environmental pollution problems is 

 a primary EPA goal. 



IITA: Enhancing User Access to Environmental 

 Data and Systems 



EPA, in concert with NASA and NOAA efforts to dissem- 

 inate environmental information, proposes to expand 

 public access to a variety of environmental databases, 

 such as ecological measurements, air and water quality 

 model predictions, and population exposure to pollu- 

 tants. Development of intelligent user interfaces for 

 interactive browsing, retrieval, analysis, and on-line mul- 

 timedia tutorials for inexperienced users will facilitate 

 routine use of environmental models for regulatory anal- 

 ysis and environmental education. In addition to these 

 access and training systems, EPA proposes to support 



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