Methods for assessing watershed-scale aquatic risks for multiple stressors

Conference · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:516795

Parkhurst, B R ^[1]; Warren-Hicks, W J ^[2]; Creager, C S ^[3]

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1. Cadmus Group, Inc., Laramie, WY (United States)
2. Cadmus Group, Inc., Durham, NC (United States)
3. Cadmus Group, Inc., Calistoga, CA (United States)

The authors demonstrate how watershed-scale aquatic ecological risk assessments (ERAs) for multiple stressors are conducted. Most ERAs focus on toxic chemicals, however, many stressors may affect aquatic ecosystems within watersheds. Other watershed-scale aquatic stressors include physical and hydrologic stressors, and physical habitat degradation. They demonstrate a method for quantifying the risks of these other stressors and comparing the resultant non-toxic chemical risks with toxic chemical risks, using habitat models to estimate the effects of non-toxic chemicals on habitat quality. This information is then compared to the risks from chemical toxicity, and the results used to compare the relative risks of chemical toxicity with the risks of other types of stressors, to identify the most limiting factors. With this information, the most beneficial types of ecological restoration can be identified and resources allocated to provide the greatest ecological benefit to the watershed.

• OSTI ID: 516795
• Report Number(s): CONF-9604217--; ISBN 0-8031-2474-0
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RISK ASSESSMENT
TOXIC MATERIALS
WATER POLLUTION
WATERSHEDS