Skip to main content

The use of models in ecological risk assessment

  • Chapter
  • 248 Accesses

Abstract

For a long time, risk assessment for chemicals has been based almost exclusively on single-species laboratory tests. Methods have been developed to extrapolate results from single-species tests to so-called ‘safe levels’ in the environment. Despite the usefulness of some of these methods, it is felt that single-species tests alone do not provide sufficient basis for ecological risk assessment, and the use of micro-and mesocosms, and mathematical models is advocated to acquire additional data

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aldenberg, T. and Slob, W. (1993) Confidence limits for hazardous concentrations based on logistically distributed NOEC data. Ecotox. Environ. Safety, 25 48–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bosatta, E. (1982) Acidification and release of nutrient from organic matter - a model analysis. Oecologia (Berlin), 55 30–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Ruiter, P.C., Moore, J.C., Zwart, K.B., Bouwman, L.A., Hassink, J., Bloem, J., De Vos, J.A., Marinissen, J.C.Y., Didden, W.A.M., Lebbink, G. and Brussaard L. (1993a) Simulation of nitrogen mineralization in the below-ground food-webs of two winter wheat fields. J. Appl. Ecol, 30 95–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Ruiter, P.C., Van Veen, J.A., Moore, J.C., Brussaard, L. and Hunt, H.W. (1993b) Calculation of nitrogen mineralization in soil food-webs. Plant Soil, 157 263–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Ruiter, P.C., Neutel, A. and Moore, J.C. (1994) Modelling food-webs and nutrient cycling in agro-ecosystems. Trends Ecol. Evol, 9 378–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haenen, C.P.L., Van Der Tol-Bakker, M. and Schobben, J.H.M. (1993) BCF’s nader Bekeken. Onderzoek naar Methoden en Variatie. Rapport DGW-93.031. Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, RWS/RIKZ, The Netherlands (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanratty, M.P. and Stay, F.S. (1994) Field evaluation of the littoral ecosystem risk assessment model’s predictions of the effects of chlorpyrifos. J. Appl. Ecol, 31 439–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Health Council of the Netherlands: Committee on Ecotoxicological Issues (1994) Ecotoxicology is Well on Course Publication no. 1994/13. Health Council of the Netherlands, The Netherlands (in Dutch, with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marinussen, M.P.J.C. and Van Der Zee, S.E.A.T.M. (1994) Spatial Variability, Risk and Extent of Soil Pollution: Conceptual Approach of Estimating the Exposure of Organisms to Soil Contamination Groundwater Quality Management, IAHS Publ. No. 220, pp. 245–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathes, K. and Schulz-Berendt, V.M. (1988) Ecotoxicological risk assessment of chemicals by measurements of nitrification combined with a computer simulation model of the N-cycle. Tox. Assess, 3 271–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J.C. and De Ruiter, P.C. (1993) Assessment of disturbance on soil ecosystems. Vet. Parasitol, 48 75–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J.C., De Ruiter, P.C. and Hunt H.W. (1993) Soil invertebrate/micro-invertebrate interactions: disproportionate effects of species on food-web structure and function. Vet. Parasitol, 48 247–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noppert, F., Dogger, J.W., Balk, F. and Smits, A.J.M. (1993) Secondary poisoning in a terrestrial food chain: a probabilistic approach, in Integrated Soil and Sediment Research: a Basis for Proper Protection (eds H.J.P. Eijsackers and T. Hamers), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 303–7.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Norstrom, R.J., Clark, T.P. and MacDonald, C.R. (1991) The Herring Gull Bioenergetics and Pharmacodynamics Model. Compiled spreadsheet ver 1.0. Manual. National Wildlife Research Centre, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Hull, Québec.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paine, R.T. (1980) Food-webs: linkage, interaction strength and community infrastructure. J. Anim. Ecol, 49 667–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paine, R.T. (1992) Food-web analysis through field measurements of per capita interaction strength. Nature, 355 73–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romijn, C.A.F.M., Luttik, R., Van der Meent, D., Slooff, W. and Canton, J.H. (1993) Presentation of a general algorithm to include effect assessment on secondary poisoning in the derivation of environmental quality criteria. Part 1. Aquatic Food Chains. Ecotox. Environ. Safety, 26, 61–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Romijn, C.A.F.M., Luttik, R. and Canton, J.H. (1994) Presentation of a general algorithm to include effect assessment on secondary poisoning in the derivation of environmental quality criteria. 2. Terrestrial Food Chains. Ecotox. Environ. Safety, 27, 107–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruys, M.M. and Pijnenburg, J. (1991) Maximaal Toelaatbare Risicowaarden in het Aquatische Milieu van Steltlopers en Zeevogels. Methode en Berekening op Basis van doorvergiftiging Intern rapport Rijkswaterstaat DGW/AOCE, The Netherlands (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • Slooff, W. (1992) RIVM Guidance Document- Ecotoxicological Effect Assessment: Deriving Maximum Tolerable Concentrations (MTC) from Single-Species Toxicity Data Report No. 719102018, RIVM, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traas, Th.P. and Aldenberg, T. (1992) CATS-1: A Model for Predicting Contaminant Accumulation in a Meadow Ecosystem. The Case of Cadmium. Report No. 719103001, RIVM, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Wensem, J. (1992) Isopods and Pollutants in Decomposing Leaf Litter. PhD Thesis, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yodzis, P. (1988) The indeterminacy of ecological interactions, as perceived by perturbation experiments. Ecology, 72, 1964–72.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Van Wensem, J. (1997). The use of models in ecological risk assessment. In: van Straalen, N.M., Løkke, H. (eds) Ecological Risk Assessment of Contaminants in Soil. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6361-7_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6361-7_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7922-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-6361-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics