This book presents new findings on intrinsic variability in pollutant build-up and wash-off processes by identifying the characteristics of underlying process mechanisms, based on the behaviour of various-sized particles. The correlation between build-up and wash-off processes is clearly defined using heavy metal pollutants as a case study. The outcome of this study is an approach developed to quantitatively assess process uncertainty, which makes it possible to mathematically incorporate the characteristics of variability in build-up and wash-off processes into stormwater quality models. In addition, the approach can be used to quantify process uncertainty as an integral aspect of stormwater quality predictions using common uncertainty analysis techniques. The information produced using enhanced modelling tools will promote more informed decision-making, and thereby help to improve urban stormwater quality.

This book presents a detailed analysis in relation to human health risk assessment of the main toxic chemical pollutants in urban stormwater generated from urban traffic and land use activities. The knowledge presented in this book was derived based on comprehensive experimental investigations including field sampling, laboratory testing, mathematical modelling, spatial analysis and multivariate and univariate statistical data analyses. The key highlights of the book include the quantitative assessment of the human health risk posed by key toxic chemical pollutants in urban stormwater and the development of linkages between risk and traffic and land use. Additionally, a suite of mathematical equations are presented to predict human health risk based on traffic and land use characteristics through mathematical modelling. These outcomes can significantly assist in effective stormwater risk management under changing traffic and land use in the urban environment. The knowledge presented is of particular interest to readers such as stormwater treatment design specialists, decision-makers and urban planners since these outcomes provide practical suggestions and recommendations for effective urban stormwater treatment design.

Due to the scale and complexity of data sets currently being collected in areas such as health, transportation, environmental science, engineering, information technology, business and finance, modern quantitative analysts are seeking improved and appropriate computational and statistical methods to explore, model and draw inferences from big data. This book aims to introduce suitable approaches for such endeavours, providing applications and case studies for the purpose of demonstration. Computational and Statistical Methods for Analysing Big Data with Applications starts with an overview of the era of big data. It then goes onto explain the computational and statistical methods which have been commonly applied in the big data revolution. For each of these methods, an example is provided as a guide to its application. Five case studies are presented next, focusing on computer vision with massive training data, spatial data analysis, advanced experimental design methods for big data, big data in clinical medicine, and analysing data collected from mobile devices, respectively. The book concludes with some final thoughts and suggested areas for future research in big data.