A modeling procedure to evaluate the coherence of independently derived environmental quality objectives for air, water and soil

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140120· OSTI ID:6528744

Meent, D van de ^[1]; Bruijn, J H.M. de ^[2]

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1. National Inst. of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven (Netherlands). Lab. for Ecotoxicology
2. Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, The Hague (Netherlands). Directorate for Chemicals, Safety and Radiation Protection

Sets of independently derived environmental quality objectives (EQOs) for air, water, and soil may not be coherent in that maintaining the concentration at EQO level in one compartment may lead to exceeding EQO levels in other compartments. A methodology to evaluate this coherence is suggested. Starting from a steady concentration in the compartment of focus (the primary compartment), steady-state concentrations in the adjacent (secondary) compartments are estimated using a multimedia fate model. If air is the primary compartment, steady-state concentrations in water and soil close to the equilibrium concentrations can be expected, and coherence of EQOs can be evaluated easily by means of an extended equilibrium partitioning procedure. If water or soil is the primary compartment, the steady-state concentrate in air is usually well below the equilibrium concentration. Subequilibrium steady-state concentrations are sensitive to assumed model parameters. The procedure is illustrated with the results of a coherence analysis for seven chemicals for The Netherlands.

• OSTI ID: 6528744
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Vol. 14:1; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NETHERLANDS
AIR POLLUTION
WATER POLLUTION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EUROPE
POLLUTION
WESTERN EUROPE
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)