Hazard assessment research strategy for ocean disposal

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:7244733

Gentile, J H; Bierman, V J; Paul, J F; Walker, H A; Miller, D C

A decision rationale for ocean disposal based on a predictive hazard assessment research strategy is presented. The conceptual framework for hazard assessment is outlined, and its major components are identified and discussed. The strategy involves the synthesis of results from separate exposure and effects components in order to provide a scientific basis for estimating the probability (risk) of harm to the aquatic environment. The exposure assessment component consists of methodologies for determining biological effects as a function of contaminant exposure concentrations. Two case studies illustrate how a hazard assessment strategy synthesizes exposure and effects information to provide a casual linkage between mass inputs of contaminants and biological effects. The first study examines sewage-sludge disposal at Deep-water Dumpsite-106. The second study, which examines the disposal of dredged material in a shallow coastal site in central Long Island Sound, is a field verification program designed to test methodologies required for the acquisition of exposure and effects information. Both the laboratory and field data are synthesized to evaluate the accuracy and confidence of predictions of the individual methods, the tiered hierarchal concept, and the final prediction.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI (USA). Environmental Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 7244733
• Report Number(s): PB-90-134388/XAB; EPA--600/D-89/231
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
DECISION MAKING
DREDGE SPOIL
ECOSYSTEMS
ESTUARIES
LONG ISLAND SOUND
MANAGEMENT
MARINE DISPOSAL
MONITORING
POLLUTION
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER POLLUTION