Environmental risk assessment in a contaminated estuary: An integrated weight of evidence approach as a decision support tool

摘要: Abstract Environmental risk assessment of complex ecosystems such as estuaries is a challenge, where innovative and integrated approaches are needed. The present work aimed at developing an integrative methodology to evaluate in impacted estuary (the Sado, Portugal, was taken case study), the adverse effects onto both ecosystem human health. For purpose, new standardized lines evidence based on multiple quantitative data were into weight according best expert judgment approach. professional for approach study following evidence: i) contamination pathways; ii) health effects: chronic disease; iii) reproductive health; iv) care; v) exposure through consumption local agriculture produce; vi) contaminated water wells soils; vii) estuarine sedimentary environment (metal organic contaminants); viii) benthic organisms with commercial value; ix) genotoxic potential sediments. Each line then ordinally ranked by levels ecological or risk, tabular decision matrix judgment. Fifteen experts scored two fishing areas Sado control area, scale increasing environmental management actions be taken. allowed concluding that should not regarded specific toxicant, metals compounds hitherto measured, but cumulative mixture contaminants. proven species value may used witness quality ecosystem. This method argues favor qualitative support tool estuaries. Namely it allows communicating proposing mitigation measures authorities population under holistic perspective alternative narrow single approaches, which mandatory understand cause effect relationships like