Integration of bioavailability, ecology and ecotoxicology by three lines of evidence into ecological risk indexes for contaminated soil assessment

Sci Total Environ. 2008 Jan 15;389(1):71-86. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.08.032. Epub 2007 Sep 29.

Abstract

A Weight of Evidence approach was applied to define three integrated effect indexes estimating the impairment on terrestrial ecosystems caused by the stressor(s) of concern. According to a Triad approach, the integrated effect indexes combined the information provided by the measurement endpoints of each line of evidence (chemistry/bioavailability, ecology and ecotoxicology) and allowed to analyse the impairment degree highlighted by each measurement endpoint as difference from the reference condition. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was used for the aggregation of the complementary Triad information, including expert judgement and a weighted procedure based on the endpoint sensitivity and the sensitivity of the test for ecosystem effects. The developed methodology was implemented in the DSS-ERAMANIA, Module 2, and is presented in this paper as "Integrated Effect Indexes" (IEI) sub-module. The latter has been preliminary applied to the Acna di Cengio (Italy) contaminated site; the results of this application are presented and discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Biodiversity*
  • Biological Availability
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Invertebrates / drug effects
  • Italy
  • Plants / drug effects
  • Risk Assessment
  • Software
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis*
  • Soil Pollutants / chemistry
  • Soil Pollutants / pharmacology

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants