WP9 Filling Critical Data Gaps in Ecological Risk Assessment
D137-140
1:20 PM - 4:40 PM, Wednesday
() Filling Critical Data Gaps in Ecological Risk Assessment: Short and Long Term Goals.
Anderson, M1, Sample, B2, 1 Cal/EPA, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Sacramento, CA, USA2 CH2M HILL, Sacramento, CA, USA
ABSTRACT- Ecological risk assessment is a structured, iterative process used to identify potential threats to plants and wildlife exposed to environmental stressors such as hazardous wastes. State and federal regulatory agencies often use ecological risk assessments to support remedial action or cleanup decisions (e.g., Superfund). Balancing protection of the environment with available financial resources for clean up demands that the risk assessment provide scientifically defensible and practicable recommendations. We provide a brief overview of the critical research needs to reduce uncertainty in ecological risk assessment process and ultimately support defensible cleanup decision making. A series of short and long term research needs are identified and discussed.
Key words: ecological risk assessment