title: A Bayesian Approach to Integrated Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment for the South River, Virginia Mercury-Contaminated Site.
abstract: We conducted a regional-scale integrated ecological and human health risk assessment by applying the relative risk model with Bayesian networks (BN-RRM) to a case study of the South River, Virginia mercury-contaminated site. Risk to four ecological services of the South River (human health, water quality, recreation, and the recreational fishery) was evaluated using a multiple stressor-multiple endpoint approach. These four ecological services were selected as endpoints based on stakeholder feedback and prioritized management goals for the river. The BN-RRM approach allowed for the calculation of relative risk to 14 biotic, human health, recreation, and water quality endpoints from chemical and ecological stressors in five risk regions of the South River. Results indicated that water quality and the recreational fishery were the ecological services at highest risk in the South River. Human health risk for users of the South River was low relative to the risk to other endpoints. Risk to recreation in the South River was moderate with little spatial variability among the five risk regions. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis identified stressors and other parameters that influence risk for each endpoint in each risk region. This research demonstrates a probabilistic approach to integrated ecological and human health risk assessment that considers the effects of chemical and ecological stressors across the landscape.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Meagan J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jonah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stinson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Wayne G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Landis
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D004463:Ecology; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D045483:Rivers; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D035501:Uncertainty; D014768:Virginia; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Bayesian network relative risk model; ecological risk assessment; ecological services; human health risk assessment; mercury