Evaluating risks to wildlife from coal fly ash incorporating recent advances in metals and metalloids risk assessment

摘要: Current scientific advances in metal and metalloid risk assessment were applied to evaluate aquatic riparian wildlife species potentially impacted by residual coal fly ash after cleanup of an unprecedented large release into environment—the first its kind. Risk was evaluated using multiple lines evidence (LOE), including 1) tissue-based inorganic concentrations piscivorous insectivorous bird eggs raccoon organs, 2) deterministic probabilistic diet-based estimates for 10 receptors species, 3) health metrics, 4) tree swallow nest productivity measures. Innovative approaches included use toxicity reference values (TRVs), adjustment bioavailability the dietary uptake models (using sequential extractions sediment), partitioning chemical compartments (e.g., prey gut, nongut, incorporating uncertainty both modeled dose TRVs, matching TRVs forms constituents, pairing these LOEs with reproductive success or status sensitive receptor species. The weight revealed that from low risk, though low, most pronounced birds exposure Se As. This information contributes debate surrounding combustion residue regulations prompted this release. Because responsible party's proactive approach applying state-of-the-art methods assess several produced consistent results, because their inclusion regulating agencies decisions at every step process, results accepted, effective toward protective environment quickly implemented. study highlights value latest assist timely decision making obtain remedy emergency spill. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:67–79. © 2014 SETAC