Fractional Fuzzy Simulation–Based Health Risk Assessment for Toluene Contaminated Aquifers

This article integrates a fractional fuzzy health risk approach with multi-objective analysis in consideration of multiple exposure pathways in order to assess human health risk in petroleum hydrocarbon (PH)–contaminated aquifers. A PH-contaminated groundwater aquifer located in the Pinggu District of Beijing, China, is then studied for demonstrating the applicability of the proposed approach. The results show that with more fuzzy parameters considered in the risk assessment procedure, the multi-parameter fuzzy (MPF) result is more accurate than that from the single-parameter fuzzy (SPF) model. The comparison results also indicate the advantage of the proposed fractional fuzzy approach in assessing parameter uncertainty. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment results imply that the contaminated groundwater in the study area is in the medium risk level, and remediation plans for soil and groundwater should be considered to ensure safe groundwater utilization.     

A Simulation-Assessment Modeling Approach for Analyzing Environmental Risks of Groundwater Contamination at Waste Landfill Sites

An integrated simulation-assessment modeling approach for analyzing environmental risks of groundwater contamination is proposed in this paper. It incorporates an analytical groundwater solute transport model, an exposure dose model, and a fuzzy risk assessment model within a general framework. The transport model is used for predicting contaminant concentrations in subsurface, and the exposure dose model is used for calculating contaminant ingestion during the exposure period under given exposure pathways. Both models are solved through the Monte Carlo simulation technique to reflect the associated uncertainties. Based on consideration of fuzzy relationships between exposure doses and cancer risks, risk levels of different exposure doses for each contaminant can be calculated to form a fuzzy relation matrix. The overall risks can then be quantified through further fuzzy synthesizing operations. Thus, probabilistic quantification of different risk levels (possibilities) can be realized. Results of the case study indicate that environmental risks at the waste landfill site can be effectively analyzed through the developed methodology. They are useful for supporting the related risk-management and remediation decisions.     

Identifying optimal groundwater remediation strategies through a simulation-based PROMETHEE-TOPSIS approach: An application to a naphthalene-contaminated site

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to develop a simulation-aided PROMETHEE-TOPSIS approach for the selection of the most desirable groundwater remediation strategies. The combination methods enables a careful evaluation of the identified remediation alternatives in which their strong and weak points can be detected and a ranking is provided which facilitates the final selection for the decision-maker. The capabilities and effectiveness of the developed method are illustrated through a case study on the remedial alternative selection for a naphthalene contaminated site in Anhui, China. Four attributes (i.e., total pumping rate, total cost, mean residual contaminant concentration and maximum excess life time cancer risk) for fifty remedial alternatives in each duration are considered and analytic hierarchy process is used to determine the weight of attributes importance. The results demonstrates that the developed method could help decision makers obtain the useful ranking information strategies that covering a variety of decision-relevant remediation options, which is beneficial for public health and environmental protection.     

青海省地下水质量评价及健康风险分析

以青海省为例,采用Fuzzy-Grey模式对该地地下水水质进行评价,结果表明,格尔木市水质较好为II类水,西宁市和海东地区均为III类水,水质的优劣次序为格尔木市>西宁市>海东地区,该结果与标准推荐模式评价结果相同,证实了该方法的可行性;同时,运用美国环保署推荐健康风险评价模型,对该地地下水健康风险进行了评价和分析,结果显示,该地区个人年均总风险均超过人体可接受风险水平,其中格尔木市的总风险最大达到了1.99×10^-4a^-1约为ICRP推荐标准的4倍,西宁市、海东地区分别约为2倍和4倍,总风险的大小顺序为格尔木市>西宁市>海东地区,其中对总风险主要贡献是六价铬的致癌风险。通过地下水水质评价和健康风险分析为当地地下水开采利用和风险管理提供科学依据。     

Uncertainty-based dynamic multimedia human health risk assessment for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a land oil exploitation area

With the increasing development of the petrochemical industry and the growing demand for oil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollutions in the environment, especially in petroleum exploitation areas, are caused by the discharge of waste from the petroleum extraction process into an environmental system. This study aims to develop a new health risk assessment approach based on interval dynamic multimedia fugacity (IDMF) model and uncertainty analysis that could analyze the human exposure risk level for PAH contamination. The developed IDM health risk assessment (IDMHRA) approach is applied to assess previous, current, and future risks at a case study site in Daqing, Heilongjiang, China, from 1985 to 2020 for model validation. The human health risk assessment results show that 11 PAHs (NAP, ANT, FLA, PYR, BaA, CHR, BbF, BkF, BaP, IPY, and DBA) in the study site require further remediation efforts in terms of their unacceptable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk. The results of risk source analysis reveal that soil media is the main risk pathway as compared with other exposure pathways. It can be seen that remediation process for soil contamination in the study site is urgently demanded. The assessment results demonstrate that the developed IDMHRA approach provides an effective tool for decision-makers and environmental managers to make remediation decisions in contaminated sites.     

Oral Bioaccessibility and Leaching: Tests for Soil Risk Assessment

A set of test methods for estimating the risk for human health (oral bioaccessibility tests) and groundwater (leaching tests) was applied to contaminated soils from three sites with different sources of contamination. The bioaccessible soil concentrations of the contaminants cadmium, lead, nickel, benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene were considerably lower than the total concentrations. The leached concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cadmium and nickel were below the EU drinking water and Danish groundwater criteria, whereas the leached lead concentrations were below the drinking water criteria but above the groundwater criteria. Based upon the test results, a risk assessment of the soils with respect to human health (oral exposure) and groundwater was established that reflected a reduced availability and mobility of PAH and heavy metals in the soils.     

Hydrogeochemical evolution and risk assessment of human health in a riverbank filtration site,northeastern China

Intensive agriculture and industrial activities have resulted in contamination in rivers and groundwater quality, which threatens human health. In this study, we used comprehensive physiochemical indicators to assess the quality of groundwater used for drinking and irrigation in addition to the potential risks to local residents in a riverbank filtration site. Human health risks through drinking water intake and dermal contact were also estimated. Moreover, we analyzed the spatial distribution regularities of health risk values in a riverbank filtration site. The assessment results revealed that NH₄–N, NO₂–N, F^?, Mn, and As are main contaminants affecting groundwater quality and that 62% of the total samples is suitable for a variety of purposes. All groundwater in the study area is suitable for irrigation based on the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Na percentage (%Na), and U.S. Salinity Laboratory (USSL) and Wilcox diagrams. The health risk assessment suggests that residents in the study area are at high health risk, and women and children face higher risk than men in both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The spatial distribution regularities of health risk values suggest that the human health risk value of each groundwater sample is different in the study area and has certain regularity. Therefore, effective measurements must be taken to address the groundwater contamination and to reduce the human health risks.     

Combined Use of Life Cycle Assessment and Groundwater Transport Modeling to Support Contaminated Site Management

The subject of this study is a spent pot lining (SPL) landfill. The aim of this study was to identify the site remediation option, among four alternatives, that minimizes overall environmental impacts based on: 1) a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA); and 2) modeling of contaminant transport in groundwater. The four options were: leaving the landfill in place (Option 1); excavation of the landfill, with on-site disposal of the excavated materials in a secure cell (Option 2); excavation of the landfill, with treatment of the SPL fraction (Option 3); and excavation of the landfill, with incineration of the SPL fraction in a cement kiln (Option 4). The LCA was performed following the guidelines provided by the International Standard Organization (ISO). Furthermore, to improve the relevance of LCA to site remediation sector, impacts caused by residual in-situ contamination were assessed by applying a simulation of contaminant transport in groundwater, using site-specific data. The LCA identified Option 1 as having the least environmental impacts. However, the transport modeling concluded that contaminant concentrations 50 years from the present could be approximately 30 to 40 times the regulatory criteria if this option is retained. In addition, this study demonstrated that LCA can be used as a screening tool to help identify significant environmental issues; the LCA identified acute and chronic water ecotoxicity categories as being the dominant impact categories of the environmental profile and consequently, it is recommended that a complete environmental risk assessment (ERA) be performed for Option 1.     

Development of Relative Risk Model for Regional Groundwater Risk Assessment: A Case Study in the Lower Liaohe River Plain,China

Increasing pressure on water supply worldwide, especially in arid areas, has resulted in groundwater overexploitation and contamination, and subsequent deterioration of the groundwater quality and threats to public health. Environmental risk assessment of regional groundwater is an important tool for groundwater protection. This study presents a new approach for assessing the environmental risk assessment of regional groundwater. It was carried out with a relative risk model (RRM) coupled with a series of indices, such as a groundwater vulnerability index, which includes receptor analysis, risk source analysis, risk exposure and hazard analysis, risk characterization, and management of groundwater. The risk map is a product of the probability of environmental contamination and impact. The reliability of the RRM was verified using Monte Carlo analysis. This approach was applied to the lower Liaohe River Plain (LLRP), northeastern China, which covers 23604 km². A spatial analysis tool within GIS which was used to interpolate and manipulate the data to develop environmental risk maps of regional groundwater, divided the level of risk from high to low into five ranks (V, IV, III, II, I). The results indicate that areas of relative risk rank (RRR) V cover 2324 km², covering 9.8% of the area; RRR IV covers 3986 km², accounting for 16.9% of the area. It is a new and appropriate method for regional groundwater resource management and land use planning, and is a rapid and effective tool for improving strategic decision making to protect groundwater and reduce environmental risk.     

Human health risk assessment and sources analysis of nitrate in shallow groundwater of the Liujiang basin,China

High levels of nitrates in groundwater pose a risk to human health. Hence, groundwater-human health risk assessment and sources analysis are essential. The article aims to assess risk level and identify sources of nitrate in shallow groundwater of the Liujiang basin by using a human health risk assessment (HHRA) model, Factor analysis (FA) and GIS spatial analysis. The results indicated that the most serious pollution was distributed in southern region of the basin; about 60% of the samples exceeded the recommended limit of nitrate as per the World Health Organization limit. Moreover, ingants' health risk were greater than those of adults and children, and about 56% of the groundwater samples will put the infants at risk of health. FA was used to identify various underlying natural and anthropogenic processes that created these distinct risk levels. The FA results can be categorized by two major factors: (1) Organic fertilizers and sewage discharge contamination in central region. (2) Blocking effect of granite and redox conditions in southern parts. This study demonstrates that the great variation of nitrate risk levels in the basin should be attributed to both natural and anthropogenic processes.     

On line biomonitors used as a tool for toxicity reduction evaluation of in situ groundwater remediation techniques

Success of groundwater remediation is typically controlled via snapshot analysis of selected chemical substances or physical parameters. Biological parameters, i.e. ecotoxicological assays, are rarely employed. Hence the aim of the study was to develop a bioassay tool, which allows an on line monitoring of contaminated groundwater, as well as a toxicity reduction evaluation (TRE) of different remediation techniques in parallel and may furthermore be used as an additional tool for process control to supervise remediation techniques in a real time mode. Parallel testing of groundwater remediation techniques was accomplished for short and long time periods, by using the energy dependent luminescence of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri as biological monitoring parameter. One data point every hour for each remediation technique was generated by an automated biomonitor. The bacteria proved to be highly sensitive to the contaminated groundwater and the biomonitor showed a long standing time despite the highly corrosive groundwater present in Bitterfeld, Germany. The bacterial biomonitor is demonstrated to be a valuable tool for remediation success evaluation. Dose response relationships were generated for the six quantitatively dominant groundwater contaminants (2-chlortoluene, 1,2- and 1,4-dichlorobenzene, monochlorobenzene, ethylenbenzene and benzene). The concentrations of individual volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) could not explain the observed effects in the bacteria. An expected mixture toxicity was calculated for the six components using the concept of concentration addition. The calculated EC₅₀ for the mixture was still one order of magnitude lower than the observed EC₅₀ of the actual groundwater. The results pointed out that chemical analysis of the six most quantitative substances alone was not able to explain the effects observed with the bacteria. Thus chemical analysis alone may not be an adequate tool for remediation success evaluation in terms of toxicity reduction.     

A tiered framework for assessing groundwater ecosystem health

The notion of ecosystem health has been widely adopted in environmental policy, particularly in the management of river systems. Despite this, even a notional understanding of ecosystem health and its assessment in connected aquifer ecosystems remains elusive. In this article, we propose a definition and provide a tiered framework for the assessment of ecosystem health in groundwater. From the literature we identify general attributes of a healthy groundwater ecosystem and from these develop primary (Tier 1) indicators of health. Where Tier 1 benchmarks are exceeded or more detailed assessment is required, we discuss a range of indicators (Tier 2) that may together generate a multimetric index of groundwater health. Our case study using samples from an alluvial aquifer in north-western New South Wales, Australia, demonstrates the utility of both tiers of the framework, and the ability of the approach to separate disturbed and undisturbed sites. The process of multimetric development is simple and our Tier 2 benchmarks determined from limited data. Nevertheless, our framework will be applicable and readily adaptable to site-specific contexts.     

An integrated model for assessing the risk of TCE groundwater contamination to human receptors and surface water ecosystems

The practical implementation of the European Water Framework Directive has resulted in an increased focus on the hyporheic zone. In this paper, an integrated model was developed for evaluating the impact of point sources in groundwater on human health and surface water ecosystems. This was accomplished by coupling the system dynamics-based decision support system CARO-PLUS to the aquatic ecosystem model AQUATOX using an analytical volatilization model for the stream. The model was applied to a case study where a trichloroethylene (TCE)-contaminated groundwater plume is discharging to a stream. The TCE source will not be depleted for many decades; however, measured and predicted TCE concentrations in surface water were found to be below human health risk management targets. Volatilization rapidly attenuates TCE concentrations in surface water. Thus, only a 30-m stream reach fails to meet surface water quality criteria. An ecological risk assessment found that the TCE contamination did not impact the stream ecosystem. Uncertainty assessment revealed hydraulic conductivity to be the most important site-specific parameter. These results indicate that contaminant plumes with μg L^?1 concentrations of TCE entering surface water systems may not pose a significant risk.     

A decision framework for selecting remediation technologies at hydrocarbon‐contaminated sites

A variety of remediation technologies are available to address hydrocarbon contamination, including free product recovery, soil venting, air sparging, groundwater recovery and treatment, and in situ bioremediation. These technologies address hydrocarbon contamination distributed between free, adsorbed, and dissolved phases in both the vadose and saturated zones. Selection of appropriate technologies is dependent on a number of factors, including contaminants, site‐specific characteristics, clean‐up goals, technology feasibility, cost, and regulatory and time requirements. This article describes a decision framework for selecting appropriate remediation technologies at hydrocarbon‐contaminated sites in a structured and tiered manner. Decision modules include (1) site characterization and product recovery; (2) vadosezone treatment: soil venting, bioremediation, and excavation; (3) saturated zone treatment: sparging, bioremediation, groundwater recovery, and excavation; and (4) groundwater treatment: carbon, air stripping, advanced oxidation, and bioreactors. Selection criteria for treatment technologies that address vadose‐ and saturated‐zone soils, as well as recovered groundwater, are described. The decision framework provides a systematic process to formulate solutions to complex problems and documents the rationale for selecting remediation systems designed to achieve closure at hydrocarbon‐contaminated sites.     

基于ArcView-WOE的下辽河平原地下水生态系统健康评价

地下水生态系统是生态系统的重要类型,随着社会经济的发展,地下水资源与环境压力日益增大,地下水生态系统健康问题已经成为人类重点关注的环境问题之一。以ArcView为平台,以下辽河平原硝酸盐氮浓度为响应因子,并从地下水系统结构特征、区域自然条件、外界压力、资源与保护和生态环境5个方面建立证据因子的图层数据库,利用证据权重法(WOE)对下辽河平原地下水生态系统健康进行评价,得到硝酸盐氮后验概率分布图。结果表明:下辽河平原的西北、东北部、东南部及抚顺和辽阳地区地下水生态系统健康处于相对高和较高概率区,东部山前冲洪积平原及下辽河平原的周边地区处于中等概率区,下辽河平原的中部平原、南部滨海平原地区处于相对低和较低概率区。将地下水水质监测点硝酸盐氮含量与后验概率分布图进行对比分析,发现二者对应性较好,这说明WOE可以用于地下水生态系统健康评价,其概率表现形式能够有效的弥补传统生态系统健康评价结果是一个具体值(或等级)而无法反映生态系统健康不确定性的不足。     

A Comparative Screening-Level Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment for Dredged Material Management Alternatives in New York/New Jersey Harbor

Managers of New York and New Jersey Harbor dredging projects are developing strategies to dispose and manage the large volumes of sediment that must be dredged to maintain passable waterways. The various management alternatives include aquatic containment facilities, upland containment, and treatment with beneficial reuse. An important consideration in the selection of an appropriate alternative is the evaluation of potential risks to ecological and human receptors. This study presents a framework for a screening-level ecological and human health risk assessment that compares risks associated with management alternatives for contaminated dredged materials. The major objectives of the work were to identify exposure routes that show the potential for risk and develop a framework that can be used to compare relative potential risks among eight management alternatives. Managers can use this framework to: ? identify characteristics of the placement/treatment alternatives that contribute to potential risk, ? choose one alternative over another for sediments with high concentrations of contaminants, ? implement controls that mitigate risk, or ? identify the need for a more comprehensive site-specific risk assessment.     

基于改进的“证据-权重法”评估污染土壤生态风险:以江苏靖江某电镀场地为例

污染场地土壤生态风险评估能够为准确制定土壤环境质量标准、污染土壤修复目标、土壤修复后效果评估及安全利用提供科学依据,是保障土壤健康和安全的重要手段。“证据-权重法”由于具有系统性、整体性和科学性的特点在风险评估中应用广泛。然而,当前“证据-权重法”大多依赖专家打分法进行权重设置,并且在实际操作中难以获得定量化的、信息全面的完整证据链,风险评估结果缺乏客观性和可比性。针对以上问题,本研究耦合美国EPA的四步法与层级法构建了“证据-权重法”污染场地土壤生态风险评估框架,统一了每个层级的评估方法与程序。采用多标准决策分析对权重进行定量化,通过预先设置证据链之间的层级来保证其相对独立性,基于基质试验和野外调查保证场地的针对性。最后,以靖江某电镀场地为案例进行实证研究,结果表明: 所构建的方法具有较强的可操作性,评估结果具有较高的客观性、科学性和准确性。     

Analysis of Worldwide Naphthalene Surface Soil Regulatory Guidance Values

Many environmental regulatory jurisdictions worldwide specify the maximum soil contamination mass burdens that may occur without prompting a regulatory response. For residential surface soils, these regulatory guidance values (RGVs) are generally based on human (often child) health risks from inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure to contamination. RGVs have been promulgated for more than 1,200 soil contaminants. Of these, naphthalene is the most frequently regulated contaminant. The 234 known naphthalene RGVs range from a minimum of 0.0289 mg/kg to a maximum of 16,000 mg/kg and span 5.7 orders of magnitude. Analysis illustrates that, although there are small non-random clusters of values, and there may be statistically significant differences between the values used in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world, the overall distribution of numbers strongly resembles (r = 0.9953) that of a log-normal random variable. Results of Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency risk model are presented to approximate the range of the naphthalene RGV span that can be attributed to uncertainty in cancer or non-cancer risk formulations. Uncertainty in the cancer risk formulation could account for approximately 41% of the RGVs. Uncertainty in the non-cancer risk formulation could account for a different 22% of the RGVs, but the cancer risk model generally yields the binding (lowest) value. The implications of these widely variable RGVs for health risk and remediation costs are discussed and methods of reducing variability are suggested.     

Spatial distribution,exposure, and potential health risk assessment from nitrate in drinking water from semi-arid region of South India

Abstract

Elevated nitrate concentration in groundwater is a worldwide problem. Continuous exposure to high levels of nitrate in groundwater may cause adverse health effects among residents who use groundwater for consumption. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the nitrate distribution and its potential health risk assessment from semi-arid region of Peddavagu in Central Telangana (PCT), South India. Groundwater samples were collected from thirty five locations and analyzed for nitrate and other water quality parameters. Nitrate (NO₃^-) in groundwater was observed to vary from 17 to 120?mg/L, with a mean of 58.74?mg/L. About 57% of samples exceeded the maximum acceptable limit of Indian drinking water standard. About, 40% of groundwater samples drinking water quality index (DWQI) is good, while 60% of groundwater falls in poor quality for drinking purposes. Health risk maps were created based on hazard quotient to quantify the potential health risk of the residents using US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) health risk assessment model. Health risk assessment revealed that mean total hazard index (HI_total) for men, women, and children were found as 1.42E?+?00, 1.67E?+?00, and 1.95E?+?00, respectively. Results exhibited that children are at high health risk than men and women in the PCT. Further, the human exposure to the NO₃^- contaminated water was above the critical limit of non-carcinogenic risk.     

Chemically enhanced phytoextraction of risk elements from a contaminated agricultural soil using Zea mays and Triticum aestivum: performance and metal mobilization over a three year period

Enhanced phytoextraction using EDTA for the remediation of an agricultural soil contaminated with less mobile risk elements Cd and Pb originating from smelting activities in Príbram (Czech Republic) was assessed on the laboratory and the field scale. EDTA was applied to the first years crop Zea mays. Metal mobilization and metal uptake by the plants in the soil were monitored for two additional years when Triticum aestivum was planted. The application ofEDTA effectively increased water-soluble Cd and Pb concentrations in the soil. These concentrations decreased over time. Anyhow, increased concentrations could be still observed in the third experimental year indicating a low possibility of groundwater pollution after the addition of EDTA during and also after the enhanced phytoextraction process under prevailing climatic conditions. EDTA-applications caused phytotoxicity and thereby decreased biomass production and increased Cd and Pb uptake by the plants. Phytoextraction efficiency and phytoextraction potential were too low for Cd and Pb phytoextraction in the field in a reasonable time frame (as less than one-tenth of a percent of total Cd and Pb could be removed). This strongly indicates that EDTA-enhanced phytoextraction as implemented in this study is not a suitable remediation technique for risk metal contaminated soils.