Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 7.3
Common Investigations Conducted as Part of Detailed Ecological Risk Assessments at Sites with Contamination of Aquatic Systems
Assessment
Endpoint
Measurement Endpoint
Risk Hypothesis
Summary of Investigation
Application of Results
Survival, growth,
and reproduction
of aquatic
community
Benthic community
density and
composition
comparable to
community in
unaffected reference
area
Site contaminants have
altered the community
characteristics of the benthic
assemblage at the site
Collect replicate sediment samples
from various areas of the site and
a similar noncontaminated
reference area. Determine species
composition, density, diversity,
and trophic structure of animals
from all samples. Concurrently
measure concentration of
contaminants in each sample.
Identify areas with degraded
benthic assemblages and
relation of benthic health to
contaminant concentrations.
Identify areas at elevated risk
and contaminant
concentrations associated with
elevated risk
Survival, growth,
and reproduction
of aquatic
community
Toxicity of sediment/
water to aquatic
animals
On-site sediment and water
have concentrations of
contaminants toxic to
aquatic organisms
Collect sediment and water from
various locations within the site
representing a range of
contaminant concentrations.
Conduct toxicity tests on media to
determine inhibition of survival,
reproduction, and/or growth of
species potentially occurring at the
site. Also measure concentration of
contaminants in each sample (can
be same samples in benthic
investigations described above).
Identiication of areas of site
with elevated risk and
contaminant concentrations
associated with toxic effects.
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