bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uncertainties in sediment erodibility estimates due to a lack of standards for experimental protocols and data interpretation
Authors: Sanford Lawrence P 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Quantitative prediction of the erodibility of muds and mud-sand mixtures is, at present, seldom possible without resorting to direct measurements, preferably in situ. A variety of devices and protocols have been developed for erosion testing, but a considerable degree of uncertainty remains with regard to the accuracy and comparability of the resulting data. This paper argues that differences in experimental protocols and data analysis procedures are a major contributing factor to uncertainty in estimates of sediment erodibility. In particular, the likelihood of a time-dependent erosion rate response under typical erosion testing conditions means that the time history of applied forcing and the chosen protocols for analyzing and interpreting data directly affect derived erosion parameters. Several straightforward ways to address this problem are suggested, including standardization of experimental design and data analysis protocols, explicit recognition and adoption of appropriate erosion model(s), and allowing for potential time/depth changes in erodibility. Experimentalists should also archive and share erosion-test time series, not just derived parameters, so that data sets may be reanalyzed within a different framework if necessary. An example is presented from an intercomparison experiment between the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences Sea Carousel and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Microcosm System, carried out in the upper Chesapeake Bay (Maryland, USA) in May 2002. Derived parameters appear to be incompatible when the data are analyzed using different procedures, but real similarities and differences are readily apparent when the data are analyzed using the same procedures.
Uncertainty in experimental techniques for measuring sediment erodability
Authors: Jepsen Richard A 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
There are many experimental methods currently utilized to measure sediment erodability and stability. When utilizing any of the available methods or devices to characterize erodability, one must understand the inherent uncertainty associated with each technique in relation to the application or expected measurement need. In addition, while some uncertainties are unique to a particular measurement device or technique, other uncertainties arise from variation in sediment conditions or properties. Several widely used devices and techniques are discussed with respect to their uncertainties and applicability for certain measurements. Finally, suggestions will be made on how to reduce uncertainty and manage it in model development.
Using mathematical models to assess sediment stability
Authors: Ziegler C Kirk 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The application of mathematical models to a sediment stability study is presented, with an emphasis on using models as a component of an effort to develop, refine, and potentially validate a conceptual site model (CSM) for sediment transport at a study site. The utility of mathematical models is discussed, in which the modeling framework consists of linked hydrodynamic, sediment transport, and contaminant fate and transport models. Benefits and drawbacks of empirically based mechanistic models are presented. An approach for integrating modeling analyses into the development, refinement and validation of a CSM is provided. This approach focuses on a phased study that combines modeling and data-based analyses to test hypotheses related to the CSM and sediment stability. Uncertainty in modeling results is a primary concern in sediment stability studies, and issues related to model uncertainty are discussed. Finally, communication of modeling results to stakeholders is addressed.
Importance of implementation and residual risk analyses in sediment remediation
Authors: Wenning Richard J , Sorensen Mary , Magar Victor S 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Management strategies for addressing contaminated sediments can include a wide range of actions, ranging from no action, to the use of engineering controls, to the use of more aggressive, intrusive activities related to removing, containing, or treating sediments because of environmental or navigation considerations. Risk assessment provides a useful foundation for understanding the environmental benefits, residual hazards, and engineering limitations of different remedy alternatives and for identifying or ranking management options. This article, part of a series of panel discussion papers on sediment remediation presented at the Third International Conference on Remediation of Contaminated Sediments held 20–25 January 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, reviews 2 types of risk that deserve careful consideration when evaluating remedy alternatives. The evaluation of remedy implementation risks addresses predominantly short-term engineering issues, such as worker and community health and safety, equipment failures, and accident rates. The evaluation of residual risks addresses predominantly longer-term biological and environmental issues, such as ecological recovery, bioaccumulation, and relative changes in exposure and effects to humans, aquatic biota, and wildlife. Understanding the important pathways for contaminant exposure, the human and wildlife populations potentially at risk, and the possible hazards associated with the implementation of different engineering options will contribute to informed decision making with regard to short- and long-term effectiveness, implementability, and potential environmental hazards.
European environmental management: Moving to an ecosystem approach
Authors: Apitz Sabine E , Elliott Michael , Fountain Michelle , Galloway Tamara S 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe European Union has adopted several environmental directives, strategies, recommendations, and agreements that require a shift from local- or regional-based regulations to more ecosystem-based, holistic environmental management. Over the next decade, environmental management in Europe is likely to focus more on biological and ecological conditions rather than physical and chemical conditions, with ecosystem health at the center of regulation and management decision making. Successful implementation of this new ecosystem management and strategic assessment process in Europe will require the integration of regulatory and technical information and extensive collaboration from among European Union member countries, between agencies, and across disciplines to an unprecedented degree. It will also require extensive efforts to adapt current systems of environmental assessment and management to the basin and ecosystem level, across media and habitats, and considering a much broader set of impacts on ecosystem status than is currently addressed in most risk assessments. This will require the understanding, integration, and communication of economic, ecological, hydrological, and other processes across many spatial and temporal scales. This article discusses these challenges and describes some of the research initiatives that will help achieve integrated ecosystem management in Europe.
Population-scale assessment endpoints in ecological risk assessment part 1: Reflections of stakeholder values
Authors: Landis Wayne G 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The selection of appropriate assessment endpoints is a basic element of an ecological risk assessment, especially at regional or watershed scales. Because ecological services often are tied to specific species, the risk to populations is a critical endpoint and feature of ecological risk assessments. The first item is a discussion of the replacement of population-level risk assessment with the construct of a population-scale assessment endpoint. Next, the criteria that are currently used for assessment endpoints are reviewed and evaluated for utility in an ecological risk assessment. Following this examination, assessment endpoints from a number of regional-scale ecological risk assessments are compared. The outcome of this evaluation is that population-scale assessment endpoints are important expressions of the valued components of ecological structures. Finally, a few recommendations for the selection of assessment endpoints at a population scale are listed.
From optimization to adaptation: Shifting paradigms in environmental management and their application to remedial decisions
Authors: Linkov Igor , Satterstrom F Kyle , Kiker Gregory A , Bridges Todd S , Benjamin Sally L , Belluck David A 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Current uncertainties in our understanding of ecosystems require shifting from optimization-based management to an adaptive management paradigm. Risk managers routinely make suboptimal decisions because they are forced to predict environmental response to different management policies in the face of complex environmental challenges, changing environmental conditions, and even changing social priorities. Rather than force risk managers to make single suboptimal management choices, adaptive management explicitly acknowledges the uncertainties at the time of the decision, providing mechanisms to design and institute a set of more flexible alternatives that can be monitored to gain information and reduce the uncertainties associated with future management decisions. Although adaptive management concepts were introduced more than 20 y ago, their implementation has often been limited or piecemeal, especially in remedial decision making. We believe that viable tools exist for using adaptive management more fully. In this commentary, we propose that an adaptive management approach combined with multicriteria decision analysis techniques would result in a more efficient management decision-making process as well as more effective environmental management strategies. A preliminary framework combining the 2 concepts is proposed for future testing and discussion.
Assessment of persistency and bioaccumulation in pesticide registration frameworks within the organization for economic cooperation and development
Authors: Montforts Mark H. M. M. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
This article describes the results of a survey conducted in 2003 on methods used by different member countries within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to evaluate persistent and bioaccumulative pesticides. The objectives were to establish the differences in taking persistence (P) and bioaccumulation (B) into account in the decision-making process and to establish the influence of the assessors' subjectivity to data interpretation and data selection. Fifteen countries participated in the survey, which generated a vast amount of information on decision making, risk assessment, risk classification, and data treatment. Survey results indicated clear differences in approaches to the use of P, B, and toxicity (T) information in scientific risk assessment. Using the same data for 2 different pesticides, several OECD member countries responded differently in classifying both substances as P, B, and T. Differences in regulatory decision-making were also apparent because, based on identical classifications, several OECD member countries adopted different decisions on pesticide registration; recommendations were based, with respect to technical guidance, on data handling, training of assessors, and handling of uncertainty in risk assessment.
Background levels of metals in St. Lawrence river sediments: Implications for sediment quality criteria and environmental management
Authors: Saulnier Isabelle , Gagnon Christian 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Preindustrial sediments dredged from the St. Lawrence Seaway are often considered potentially toxic relative to interim sediment quality criteria. The aim of the present study was to better document the background levels of target metals that were once used to define the minimal threshold of these criteria. Three extractions were performed on sediment samples to evaluate the distribution and potential bioavailability of trace metals. The results showed that the background levels established for the criteria are representative of contaminant concentrations observed in preindustrial sediments but not of the postglacial marine clays underlying these sediments. Chromium, nickel, and copper concentrations in postglacial marine clays, when solubilized by strong acids, exceeded the minimal effect threshold, whereas chromium and nickel frequently exceeded the toxic effect threshold and therefore are problematic in terms of applying sediment quality assessment criteria. The results suggest that these trace metals are mostly associated with inert silicates in postglacial marine clays and are unlikely to be bioavailable to aquatic organisms. Postglacial marine clays should be better considered differently than are sediments in regard to the sediment quality criteria implementation. Accordingly, the use of tools to identify the postglacial material may become necessary if a particular management disposition should be established for this sedimentary material. Total recoverable aluminum concentrations in sediments, in conjunction with other physical characteristics, was shown to be an interesting tool to identify this specific material. The normalization of metals concentrations with total recoverable aluminum concentrations would take account of natural mineralogical and textural variability of freshwater sediments in the quality assessment process.
Ecology in a cost-benefit society: The issues
Authors: Forbes Valery E. , Calow Peter 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Is there a role for ecology in a cost-benefit society? As a prelude to a collection of papers arising from a conference on this theme held at Roskilde University in June 2004, this paper summarizes divergent approaches to public policy decision making. Whether based on strict cost-benefit analysis or wide-ranging discussion, we make the point that decisions need to be informed by an understanding of the causes behind environmental problems and their consequences, through impaired ecosystem services, on the economy. Taking this forward will require forums that bring ecologists, economists, and regulators into active and constructive dialogue.
Thinking broadly about costs and benefits in ecological management
Authors: Costanza Robert 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Decisions regarding both human and natural systems often involve either explicit or implicit consideration of relative costs and benefits. These costs and benefits, however, go well beyond those captured in conventional economic cost-benefit analysis. It is not so much the mere consideration of costs and benefits that hampers cost-benefit analysis but, rather, the narrowness and incompleteness of the subset of costs and benefits that are usually considered. To use cost-benefit analysis for social decision making, one needs to think very broadly about which categories of costs and benefits need to be addressed (including effects on built, human, social, and natural capital as well as sustainable well-being) and deal with the inherent uncertainty and imprecision attached to many of the more important categories. One needs to consider the full range of possible values and valuation methods, to shift the burden of proof to the parties that stand to gain from the decision, to deal with the distributional consequences of decisions, and to be clear about the social goals being served by the decision. Failure to think broadly enough about costs and benefits leads to decisions that serve only narrow special interests, not the sustainable well-being of society as a whole.
Decision support–oriented selection of remediation technologies to rehabilitate contaminated sites
Authors: Critto Andrea , Cantarella Lisa , Carlon Claudio , Giove Silvio , Petruzzelli Gianniantonio , Marcomini Antonio 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
A methodology for selecting remediation technologies is presented as part of a decision support system for the rehabilitation of contaminated sites. It includes 2 steps: In the 1st step, a pool of suitable technologies is selected within a technologies database according to their applicability to site-specific conditions; in the 2nd step, the selected technologies are ranked according to a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. The MCDA was applied to allow for a transparent procedure and for the integration of expert analyses. The methodology was implemented in a previously developed georeferenced information system–based decision support system for the rehabilitation of contaminated sites and then applied to a case study (Porto Marghera, Venice, Italy). On the basis of the obtained results, the proposed methodology appeared suitable to select remediation technologies according to both technical features and requirements of available technologies, as well as site-specific environmental conditions of the site of concern, such as chemical contamination levels and remediation objectives.
Potential of dark-striped field mice, Apodemus agrarius coreae, for use as a biological radiation dosimeter for human environments
Authors: Kim Hee-sun , Nishimura Yoshikazu , Kim Chong-soon 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
This study examined the possibility of using striped field mice as a biological dosimeter or indicator for surveillance of the ecological effects of boundary radiation emitted by nuclear power plants. For this study, the external morphological characteristics and isoenzymic electrophoretypes of Korean domestic dark-striped field mice were studied after they were captured, controlled for reproduction, and their exact species were identified. In terms of morphological external characteristics, the dark-brown coat, dark back stripe, head-to-tail length, tail length, and ear length matched the taxonomical characteristics of dark-striped field mice. In terms of isoenzymic electrophoretypes, the analyses on l-lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malate dehydrogenase revealed that one species of dark-striped field mice, called Apodemus agrarius coreae, was scattered throughout a wide range of habitats. On the other hand, after irradiating the A. a. coreae (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 7 gray [Gy]) to analyze their survival rate and frequency of micronuclei in peripheral polychromatic erythrocytes, their LD50/30 was approximately 5 Gy. Also, the mice that contained 1 or 3 Gy gained weight compared with those that contained 0.5 Gy. Moreover, those with 0.5 Gy and higher showed an increase in white blood cells and platelets as well as in sodium and creatinine. However, decreased concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, alanine animotransferase, calcium, phosphorus, and globulin were observed in the A. a. coreae after irradiation. The results of the study reveal that wild A. a. coreae mice have high potential as a biological monitoring system to determine radiation effects in human environments such as those within the vicinity of nuclear power plants.
Stochastic probability modeling to predict the environmental stability of nanoparticles in aqueous suspension
Authors: Mackay Christopher E , Johns Mark , Salatas Johanna H , Bessinger Brad , Perri Monica 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The term “nanomaterial” describes a preparation in which the particle size is on the order of 10 to 100 nm in diameter. Such particles have the ability to form suspensions in fluid media such as air and water that can dramatically increase the environmental transport potential in comparision with like materials of larger particle sizes. Quantifying such transport requires an ability to predict the stability of such suspensions as to their tendency to aggregate or interact with other environmental constituents. In this paper, we present a method for predicting the magnitude and uncertainty associated with nanoparticle suspension stability. The critical buoyancy properties are predicted using the Boltzmann equation. The rates of aggregation are then predicted on the basis of molecular collision and adhesion coefficients. The progress of particle growth is simulated across all potential pathways probabalistically using the Gillespie model to characterize the uncertainty. Discussion is provided regarding potential environmental applications and further potential development in predicting particle behavior and effects on the environment.
Aquatic risks of pesticides, ecological protection goals, and common aims in european union legislation
Authors: Brock Theo CM , Arts Gertie HP , Maltby Lorraine , Van den Brink Paul J 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
This discussion paper presents a framework for spatiotemporal differentiation in ecological protection goals to assess the risks of pesticides in surface waters. It also provides a proposal to harmonize the different scientific approaches for ecotoxicological effect assessment adopted in guidance documents that support different legislative directives in the European Union (Water Framework Directive and Uniform Principles). Decision schemes to derive maximum permissible concentrations in surface water are presented. These schemes are based on approaches recommended in regulatory guidance documents and are scientifically underpinned by critical review papers concerning the impact of pesticides on freshwater organisms and communities. Special attention is given to the approaches based on standard test species, species sensitivity distribution curves, and model ecosystem experiments. The decision schemes presented here may play a role in the “acceptability” debate and can be used as options in the process of communication between risk assessors and risk managers as well as between these risk experts and other stakeholders.
Characterizing the risks to aquatic ecosystems: A tentative approach in the context of freshwater dredged material disposal
Authors: Babut Marc P. , Delmas Hélène , Bray Marc , Durrieu Claude , Perrodin Yves , Garric Jeanne 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The development of relevant frameworks for assessing ecological risks posed by dredged material management does not only involve an appropriate selection of assessment and measurement endpoints but also requires a sound approach to both risk characterization and the associated uncertainty. A formal methodology addressing both aspects has been developed in France for freshwater sediment deposits in water. Both exposure and effects measurements are 1 st transformed into scores or classes. As far as possible, class boundaries are based on existing knowledge or expertise. Benthic organism exposure is based on a ratio of the deposit area to the burrow pit area, whereas pelagic species exposure is based on the ratio of porewater volume to water column volume. The combination of exposure and effect scores yields risk scores, or classes, which are linked to management decisions. Uncertainty is assessed with respect to a set of 4 predetermined criteria for exposure (the strength of association with the assessment endpoint, spatial and temporal representativeness, and the use of standard methods) and 4 criteria for effects (strength of association, the distinction between effect and no effect, sensitivity, and the use of standard methods). This approach was applied to 8 sediments from French canals contaminated to varying degrees.