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Page Title:
Objectives of Ecological Risk Assessment |
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 Objectives of Ecological Risk Assessment
Each site-specific ecological risk assessment should have its own set of
objectives. Many of these may be associated with specific issues, unique to a given
site. It is important for the risk assessor to specify any site-specific objectives in
advance of subsequent analyses. Obviously, this process is iterative. Site-specific
objectives may become sharper, or even modified, as the analyses progress. In
addition, site-specific objectives should be agreed upon "up-front" based on input
from dredged material managers, stakeholders, and environmental groups.
There are several objectives common to all risk assessments: These include:
a. Identify contaminants of concern.
b. Identify organisms, ecosystems, and people that may be exposed to
contaminants contained in the dredged material.
c. Select organisms and humans which represent the ecosystem and human
activities associated with the dredged material site.
d. Identify the pathways by which receptors may be exposed to the
contaminants.
e. Specify the valued characteristics of the exposed organisms or ecosystem.
which organisms or humans may contact.
h. Characterize the ecological and human risks associated with the exposure
under current and future conditions.
i. Assess the uncertainties associated with measurements, estimates, and risk
characterizations.
There may be other site-specific objectives raised by local groups or regulators.
The risk assessment should incorporate these into a statement of objectives.
The product of this section of the ecological risk assessment will be a clearly
written set of objectives which will reflect the concerns of interested parties. These
concerns and how the objectives relate to them should be in the written document.
These objectives will guide the remaining steps in the ecological risk assessment.
16
Chapter 2 Problem Formulation
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