A client-side web application for interactive environmental simulation modeling

Recent developments in web technologies including evolution of web standards, improvements in browser performance, and the emergence of free and open-source software (FOSS) libraries are driving a general shift from server-side to client-side web applications where a greater share of the computational load is transferred to the browser. Modern client-side approaches allow for improved user interfaces that rival traditional desktop software, as well as the ability to perform simulations and visualizations within the browser. We demonstrate the use of client-side technologies to create an interactive web application for a simulation model of biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen in rivers called the Web-based Interactive River Model (WIRM). We discuss the benefits, limitations and potential uses of client-side web applications, and provide suggestions for future research using new and upcoming web technologies such as offline access and local data storage to create more advanced client-side web applications for environmental simulation modeling.