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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/4628| Title: | Ecological and human health risk assessment guidance for aquatic environments |
| Authors: | Menzie-Cura and Associates, Inc. Dredging Operations and Environmental Research Program (U.S.) Cura, Jerome J., 1949- Heiger-Bernays, Wendy Bridges, Todd S. Moore, David W. |
| Keywords: | Contaminated sediment Open-water disposal Dredged material Dredging spoil Dredging Human health risk Ecological risk assessment Aquatic environments |
| Publisher: | Environmental Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical report ; DOER-4 |
| Description: | Technical Report Abstract: This document provides guidance for conducting ecological and human health risk assessments at aquatic sites potentially impacted by dredged material management activities. Risk assessment is the process of evaluating the impact of a chemical or physical condition upon the health of individual humans or the environmental well-being of a population or community of animals and plants. The former is called human health risk assessment, and the latter ecological risk assessment. The project manager should decide to apply a risk assessment within the context of the site selection process and/or the four-tiered evaluation of dredged material, or when there are unresolved issues with regard to potential human or ecological exposures. It is most applicable to projects which have: (A.) Reached Tier IV and concern about specific bioaccumulative compounds or toxic compounds remains. (B.) The potential to affect a local sensitive habitat or species. (C.) Outstanding exposure issues where a risk assessment will allow realistic use of information about a species’ natural history such as foraging areas, breeding times, migration patterns. (D.) Potential human health exposure either directly to sediments or through the food chain. (E.) Issues associated with environmental windows (time periods when a species is least vulnerable). The selection of personnel to conduct a risk assessment depends on the level of complexity addressed in the risk assessment. For example, a rough estimate of exposure based on a simple sediment-water partitioning equation may be sufficient to demonstrate little probability of bioavailability of a chemical, and hence risk. In such a case, operations personnel with expertise in engineering, chemistry, or marine geology may be the only necessary personnel. In the most complex assessments (and these are likely to be the least frequently encountered), an interdisciplinary team of engineers, biologists, chemists, and physical scientists may be necessary. |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/4628 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
