Scientific visualization uses fundamental computer graphics techniques to display a data set or the result of a computational simulation. These displays often take the form of a flat raster map, a color-coded surface, a vector field or a translucent isosurface. Then, borrowing from the area of image processing, scientific visualization uses palette manipulation, contrast enhancement, image smoothing and animation to integrate and analyze the data. Throughout the world, fresh-water supplies are crucial factors in areas of public health and economic development. In the past, poor management practices and unconstrained dumping of chemicals and other pollutants have negatively impacted much of the world's groundwater.
Today there is much emphasis on improved management and remediation of the quality of groundwater.
Environmental engineering, chemistry, geology, agronomy and mathematics are examples of areas in which groundwater studies are undertaken. Mathematical equations can be used to describe the movement of groundwater and contaminants in an aquifer. Analytical mathematical methods can be used to solve some simplified forms of the groundwater flow equations. Such mathematical analysis often gives very valuable qualitative information, such as whether a certain development plan will raise or lower the water table in a particular region. Complicated, large-scale groundwater modeling efforts usually require computer analysis.