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Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) is an emerging science that identifies "stressors" that may alter ecosystems and quantifies the probable severity of adverse effects on those ecosystems. ERA is a tool to help decision-makers incorporate science into risk-based decision making.

Typical areas in which ERA is used include:

• Contaminated sites and their associated ecological risk;
• Petroleum contaminated sites and the associated environmental impact;
• Air pollutants and their environmental fate and effect and
• Biological uptake of chemicals by plants and animals. The introduction of new industrial, agricultural and veterinary chemicals is of particular importance.

Stressors can be chemical, physical or biological. Physical stressors could include fire, dust or barriers that result from human activity. Other examples might be sediments released by logging that smother river bottom invertebrates, or secondarily, warmer water temperatures that kill some fish species. Biological stressors introduced by human activity could include exotic species or genetically engineered organisms, which may either kill, out compete, or crossbreed with indigenous organisms, changing the ecosystem.

With ERA essential elements of the risk paradigm include:

• Hazard Assessment: The relationship between exposure and effects is investigated. Both data and models are required to predict the likely ecological responses to the stressors under investigation. Data may come from laboratory or field studies or may be produced from a model.
   
• Risk Characterisation: The risk likelihood and consequences of the hazard are examined to determine if the risk is low or high. Where possible a quantitative estimate of risk can be developed. A risk description can also be provided to outline the degree of certainty in the risk estimate. The potential for adverse effects can be described in terms of nature and intensity, spatial and temporal scale and the likelihood for recovery. With a high-risk situation treatment options must be considered.

The outcome is that the risk can be prioritised and managed accordingly. CETEC has the complete skills to assist you with ecological risk management.

CETEC has worked with private corporations and organisations as well as Government at all levels (Federal, State and local) on many ecological risk management projects. CETEC’s experience is augmented through the alliance with Sydney University, Chemical Engineering Department that offers skills in sustainability, life cycle assessment and multi-criteria decision-making.

To give us feedback on this article or to ask how CETEC can help you then contact us here.