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Ecological Risk
Overview
Regulations that protect our natural resources increasingly emphasize the need to evaluate risks to the environment. Ecological risk assessment has evolved into an important decision-making tool for the management and development of site remediation strategies as well as the development and marketing of new products and drugs. Gradient is widely recognized as one of the nation's premier risk assessment firms, with exceptional skills in ecotoxicology, exposure modeling, and quantitative analysis.
Our ecological risk expertise includes:
- Integrated ecological and human health risk-based remedial solutions
- Site-specific ecological risk assessment
- Design, oversight, and interpretation of environmental fate and toxicity studies
- Scientific and regulatory comment
- Environmental product/chemical safety assessment
- Causation analysis and litigation support
Example Publications
Mayfield, DB; Johnson, MS; Burris, JA; Fairbrother, A. 2014. "Furthering the derivation of predictive wildlife toxicity reference values for use in soil cleanup decisions." Integr. Environ. Assess. Manag. 10 : 358-371.
Mayfield, DB; Fairbrother, A. 2013. “Efforts to standardize wildlife toxicity values remain unrealized.” Integr. Environ. Assess. Manag. 9 : 114-123.
Verslycke, TA; Vethaak, AD; Arijs, K; Janssen, CR. 2005. "Flame retardants, surfactants and organotins in sediment and mysid shrimp of the Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands)." Environ. Pollut. 136 (1) :19-31.
Example Projects
Critical Area Ordinance for Wetlands and Fish and Wildlife
Full DescriptionGradient prepared comments on proposed changes to critical areas ordinances for wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas in a Western State. Our comments focused on the consistency of the proposed changes with existing regulations and regulatory guidance, the use of best available science, and the need for and effectiveness of the proposed measures.
Regulatory Comment on Effluent Limits for Electric Power Generation
Full DescriptionGradient critically reviewed the technical materials supporting proposed effluent limit guidelines (ELGs) under the Clean Water Act for steam electric power generation utilities. US EPA proposed ELG changes for several parameters, including arsenic, selenium, and mercury. We assessed the completeness and validity of the analyses performed by US EPA to support the rule-making effort, including considerations of toxicity, fate and transport in the environment, and cost analysis of potential impoundment failure risks.
Determination of Methoprene Wastewater Discharge Limit
Full DescriptionGradient developed a risk-based discharge limit for the pesticide methoprene used at a New Zealand company's wastewater treatment plant. We based our site-specific discharge limit on a post-discharge dispersion model, current knowledge of methoprene toxicity, and effective treatment while remaining protective of the receiving water environment.
Alternative Concentration Limits for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms
Full DescriptionGradient evaluated technical approaches for developing Alternate Concentration Limits (ACL) for groundwater to surface water discharge from a chemical manufacturing facility located next to a large river. We evaluated the relative sensitivity of benthic versus pelagic aquatic organisms for key chemicals of concern at the site, and reviewed current state of the science on mixing of groundwater with surface water in the hyporheic zone.
Natural Resource Damage Settlement Evaluation
Full DescriptionGradient evaluated the basis for a proposed natural resource damage (NRD) settlement offer at a Great Lakes Superfund site. Using benchmarking analysis techniques, we quantitatively compared NRD settlements at other sediment sites to our client's offer. Our analysis considered the nature and extent of the ecological harm, as well as the role of our client's releases in causing the harm. Our work aided settlement negotiations.
Fish Tissue Data Collection and Residue Evaluation
Full DescriptionAs part of a review of the effectiveness of a Superfund remedy, Gradient reviewed historical metal and PCB fish tissue data and coordinated additional fish tissue sampling in a pond at an old landfill. The data were used to model bioaccumulation risks and evaluate population-level effects in fish, higher trophic level ecological receptors, and human health.