Spatial database case study: a GIS based metal contamination application

A geographical information system (GIS) has the capability to store, manipulate, analyze, and display a large amount of spatial and tabular data. This study carried out a regional metal contamination assessment for the New Orleans area using a GIS. Heavy metal contamination in and around the New Orleans area during two disasters, Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, has hindered the rebuilding of both businesses and homes. This study presented the merging of maps, spatial and tabular data bases, and object-oriented programming so that levels of arsenic and lead can be easily seen and understood by New Orleans officials. This can help them make decisions regarding rebuilding so as to comply with the EPA guidelines that were set up after Hurricane Katrina.