Dominic
M. Di Toro
Distinguished
Professor of Environmental Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Delaware
Newark,
DE 19716-3120
Abstract
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A critical part, and some would argue the most critical part, of rational water and sediment quality risk assessment and management, is the ability to determine what concentrations of pollutants pose a risk to aquatic life. For many years this has been the weakest link in the application of scientific methods to environmental decision making. However, in recent years, criteria that combine toxicological and chemical principles have been, and are being developed that incorporate measures of bioavailability, and consideration of mixtures. The principles and models used for these criteria: equilibrium partitioning, SEM-AVS, narcosis theory for PAH mixtures and oils, and the biotic ligand model for metals, will be presented. Remaining problem areas will also be discussed. |