Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 9.2.
Desk study and Conceptual
Site Model (CSM) (modified from
Environment Agency
2008a
).
and their properties described (e.g., whether they have the ability to hydro-
lyse or bioaccumulate/biomagnify).
5. Identify Likely Fate and Transport of Contaminants. Contaminants are
prone to a number of physical processes that affect how long they persist
in the environment, whether (and how) they move through the environment
and their fate. Such processes include sorption, degradation, transform-
ation, dispersion, immiscible transport, volatilisation etc. This information
needs to be assessed for each CoPC so that any pathways to potential
receptors of concern can be identified in the next step.
6. Identify Receptors of Potential Concern. In earlier stages, the location and
ecological attributes of protected areas have been identified. Now, those
ecological systems (or organisms forming part of such a system) relevant to
the Part 2A legislation must be identified as receptors of potential concern
(RoPC). This must be done in consultation with the nature conservation
organisations.
7. Identify Pathways of Potential Concern. Having identified the CoPC and the
RoPC, pathways that potentially link the two together must be identified
using the information on: the physical site characteristics, the fate and
transport characteristics of the CoPC and the behaviour of the RoPC col-
lected previously.
8. Produce CSM. Having gained as much relevant information as possible
about the site, contaminants and receptors, together with potential
pathways by which the receptor might be exposed to a contaminant(s) a
CSM is produced. A CSM is a diagrammatic or tabular representation
(usually either a picture or flow-diagram) summarising the desk study
information and illustrating any potential pollutant linkages to the recep-
tors of concern (see British Standards Institution
2001
; Environment
Agency
2008a
).
9.
Identify Assessment and Measurement Endpoints. If a potential CPR link-
age is identified, it must be decided how the linkage can be assessed, with
particular regard to the site's protection goals/conservation objectives.
