Applied geochemistry research and modeling is all done in a decision support environment. Formal semi-quantitative contamination risk assessment (RA) goes along the SOURCE-PATHWAY-RECEPTOR chain. RA focuses on the risk-based assessment and ranking of mine sites and mine waste facilities.
Contamination Risk assessment (RA) is defined as the probability of adverse effects to humans and ecosystem resulting from exposure to environmental pollutants. RA includes the steps of 1) hazard description, 2) dose/response (toxicity) analysis, 3) contaminant transport, 4) exposure assessment, 5) risk characterization, and 6) risk management. Contamination risk exists for a site only if all the source, pathway and receptor components are present. At GEM-RG, GEOCHEMISTRY studies contamination fate, MODELLING is used for reaction and transport characterization along the SOURCE-PATHWAY-RECEPTOR chain.
In the case of mine waste sites, for example, this means that a hazardous waste should be present such as an ore tailings pond, contamination transport should be enabled by air, surface- and groundwater or direct contact to reach sensitive receptors such as settlements, protected ecosystems or agricultural lands.
See PROJECTS for detailed activities.For RISK ASSESSMENT modelling SEE:- ProjectsFor SOFTWARE used SEE:
For TRAINING offered SEE:
For related ACTIVITIES on-going SEE: – Projects – Gallery
For JOINING research activities SEE: |
Decisions – examples: