Environmental risk assessment under critical load calculations

Environmental risk assessment under critical load calculations At present it is agreed both nationally and internationally that the process of quantitative prediction of the probability of an adverse response in ecosystem health due to exposure to one or more pollutants is collectively known as Environmental Risk Assessment, ERA (US EPA, 1992). 

In accordance with this definition, an environmental risk assessment process is used especially in cases when the probability component appears during the calculation of various parameters due to any of a number reasons uncertainty of input information uncertainties in applied algorithm due to lack of knowledge, insufficient knowledge and/or simplification of input information uncertainties in the defined geographic boundaries of pollutant influence uncertainties in both computer calculations and management operations based on these calculations. 

The analysis of this principal scheme of ERA is restricted so that the quantitative risk assessment is possible based only on the whole operational flowchart. 

Suggested ERA frameworks for development of acidification oriented projects ERA in general is a process, as is EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), and not the occasional report or document that is published at various steps. The framework for the orderly process which has been developed for various environmentally sound projects can be applied also for acidification oriented projects and especially for an evaluation of ecosystem sensitivity to acid deposition and critical load calculations. The close link to management is an essential feature. 

Hazard identification is akin to the qualitative prediction of impacts in EIA and is largely accomplished when the EIA is performed independently of, or prior to, 

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ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT UNDER CRITICAL LOAD CALCULATIONS... 

Bashkin, V. N. (1999). Environmental risk assessment under calculation of critical loads of pollutants at ecosystems. Geography and Natural Resources, 1, 35-39... 

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