THE ROLE OF MODELING IN GEOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING - A (RE)VIEW

Modelling is an indispensable tool in geochemical engineering in predi cting the outcome of our intended interferences in geochemical systems . Because such systems are highly complex, investigation by means of d esigned experiment can only apply to subsystems and processes. Models too can only capture a partial, simplified image of the true system. C onceptual models play a vital role. Advantages of the use of models ar e, a.o., better testing of our understanding of geochemical processes, better formulation of this understanding, and better prediction of th e outcome of our conjectures. Examples from hydrogeochemistry are disc ussed to demonstrate this. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.