A hierarchical approach to ecological assessment of contaminated soils at Aberdeen Proving Ground, USA
Despite the expansion of environmental toxicology studies over the past decade, soil ecosystems have largely been ignored in ecotoxicological studies in the United States. The objective of this project was to develop and test the efficacy of a comprehensive methodology for assessing ecological impacts of soil contamination. A hierarchical approach that integrates biotic parameters and ecosystem processes was used to give insight into the mechanisms that lead to alterations in the structure and function of soil ecosystems in contaminated areas. This approach involved (1) a thorough survey of the soil biota to determine community structure, (2) laboratory and field tests on critical ecosystem processes, (3) toxicity trials, and (4) the use of spatial analyses to provide input to the decision-making, process. This methodology appears to, offer an efficient and potentially cost-saving tool for remedial investigations of contaminated sites.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 207036
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/EA/CP-85957; CONF-9504245-1; ON: DE96007240
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: NATO advanced research workshop on bioindication, Moscow (Russian Federation), 24-28 Apr 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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