Several features distinguish MAROS from other tools designed specifically to optimize networks:
- Simplicity – the MAROS tool employs simple statistical metrics that do not require specialized training to perform or interpret.
- Rapid results – once data have been imported into MAROS, results can be generated in an hour or less.
- Small networks – while MAROS can generate data for networks up to 200 wells from 40 sampling events, the tool can be used to evaluate networks of as few as six wells and four sample events. MAROS is often used for small plumes, or limited areas of concern within larger plumes.
- Ease of installation and operation – MAROS is an open-source application built on the MS Access platform and can be run from any computer running MS Office. The application is small, easy to download and does not require sophisticated add-ins to run. Data can be imported into MAROS as either MS Excel or Access files. No specialized data preparation or files are required.
- Easy output – Results of a MAROS analysis can be printed in concise reports or exported in a database format that can be used to build tables and maps of relevant findings. MAROS output can be imported into ESRI or other software tools compatible with the database format.
- Exit strategy – MAROS includes statistical metrics to identify when locations have achieved cleanup goals. Modules evaluate the quantity of data required to confirm or reject hypotheses on cleanup status.
The latest version of the software (MAROS 3.0) also has several new and improved features relative to the previous versions:
- Updated Graphical User Interface: The use of richer controls allows easy data manipulation outside of the MAROS application (easy copy and paste of data tables to Microsoft Excel, copy and paste of graphs to Microsoft Word).
- Improved Statistical Analysis Tools: This version has added and expanded several summary statistics and data review tools for individual well concentrations. MAROS now includes calculation of summary statistics using the Kaplan-Meier method to account for higher numbers of non-detect results. Additional statistical tools include Dixon’s method for identifying outliers in datasets and the Shapiro-Wilk method of estimating the distribution of data as well as an estimate of 95% UCL’s.
- Monitoring Objectives: This version prompts the User to enter monitoring objectives for each well. Monitoring Objectives along with the results of individual well statistics are used to prioritize wells in the network.
- Improved Plume-Level Analysis Options: In MAROS 3.0, the Plume-Level Analyses to estimate total mass, center of mass and distribution of mass have been modified to provide the user more choice in selecting wells, and sample events to use in the analysis.
- Percentage Total Mass and Total Area: The Plume-Level Analysis includes an option to determine the percentage of total mass in the plume each well represents for each sample event. The software also calculates the total area each well monitors based on the Voronoi Diagram calculation.
- Expanded Spatial Optimization Options: MAROS 3.0 calculates several statistics to assess the spatial distribution and concentration uncertainty between well locations. In addition to Slope Factor, the software calculates the relative prediction error between wells and the variability in prediction error. The software also identifies variability in the area each well monitors, recommending well removal or addition in areas that monitor too small or too large an area relative to the total plume footprint.
- xpanded Sample Frequency Tools: This version provides recommendations for individual well and plume-wide sampling frequencies.
- Improved Options for Exporting Data: MAROS 3.0 allows the User to export results of analyses in multiple formats at several locations in the software. The User can choose to export resuts in Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets or Access databases or choose to print MAROS reports.
- Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, or Microsoft Windows 7 later
- Microsoft Access 2007, 2010, or later
- Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, or later.
Users must have the ability to enable macros in Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel. Users of later versions of applications that those listed above may experience some compatibility issues.
The current BETA version available is MAROS v3.0 BETA R352 released 28-SEP-2012.
- MAROS for Microsoft office 2003: Installation program, help files, and installation instructions for version 11 of Microsoft Office.
- MAROS for Microsoft Office XP/2000: Installation program, help files, and installation instructions for version 9 and 10 of Microsoft Office.
- MAROS Users Manual: User’s Manual, includes screen-by-screen description of software use and comprehensive explanation of MAROS geostatistical methods, as well as a detailed tutorial.
- MAROS Data Preparation (the idiot’s guide): Microsoft Word document that describes how to prepare data for use in the MAROS software.
- Roadmap to Long-Term Monitoring Optimization (LTMO): A USEPA guidance document that focuses on optimization of established long-term monitoring programs for groundwater.
Download the appropriate version of MAROS software for your version of Microsoft Office above. The download is a .ZIP compressed file. Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a folder. To start the MAROS 3 interface; open the MAROS 3.0 BETA.accdb database. Several other files will appear in the extracted folder. These files are required for MAROS to run.
Note: It is important that the .ZIP file is extracted and MAROS is not run from inside of the .ZIP file – this will cause errors when MAROS tries to access other files within the zip file. To extract the .ZIP file into a folder you typically will right-click on the .ZIP file and choose “Extract” from the context menu.
GSI provides the MAROS software free-of-charge and provides no technical support for its installation or usage. The MAROS FAQ is provided to answer the most common questions.
