title: A Risk Assessment Model for Water Resources: releases of dangerous and hazardous substances.
abstract: Many dangerous and hazardous substances are used, transported and handled daily in diverse situations, from domestic use to industrial processing, and during those operations, spills or other anomalous situations may occur that can lead to contaminant releases followed by contamination of surface water or groundwater through direct or indirect pathways. When dealing with this problem, rapid, technically sound decisions are desirable, and the use of complex methods may not be able to deliver information quickly. This work describes a simple conceptual model established on multi-criteria based analysis involving a strategic appraisal for contamination risk assessment to support local authorities on rapid technical decisions. The model involves a screening for environmental risk sources, focussing on persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances that may be discharged into water resources. It is a simple tool that can be used to follow-up actual accident scenarios in real time and to support daily activities, such as site-inspections.
authors.affiliation: Portuguese Environment Agency - ARH Algarve, Portugal.
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rebelo
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal. Electronic address: iferra@ubi.pt.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ferra
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isolina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Albertina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marques
mesh_terms: D055884:Chemical Hazard Release; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D062066:Water Resources
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Critical factors; Hazard sources; Risk assessment; Water resources