An Integrated GIS and Risk Assessment System for Soil and Groundwater Contamination at a Former Airport. J. M. LaVelle, M. J. Smith, R. A. Baltz, and T. R. Marcum, Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.
To facilitate updates to risk estimates and action levels developed for a Brownfields Site, an automated system was developed to integrate a geographic information system (GIS) and risk assessment methodologies. This system allows almost instantaneous updates based on new data, toxicity criteria, regulatory requirements and zoning or land use patterns. The system consists of a relational database in Microsoft Access 97 linked to an Arcview GIS application. The Access database links data for contaminated media at the site, exposure assumptions for different receptors, toxicity criteria, risk and action level equations, and transport models. All calculations are performed within the database and the results are linked to Arcview. The proposed development at the site is an integrated community with areas where people live, work and recreate. Exposure equations based on these landuses were therefore programmed into the database. Data for evaluation of indirect exposure pathways (e.g. exposure to contaminants discharged to air or surface water in the future) were not available; assumptions for discharge to surface water bodies and ASTM equations for release of groundwater contaminants into indoor and ambient air were therefore programmed into the database. The application calculates exposure point concentrations and risks for any specified subarea, estimates action levels based on different landuses and exposure pathways, and identifies areas where contaminant concentrations exceed regulatory requirements or target risk levels. Since this information can be projected on a parcel by parcel basis, the application aids identification of datagaps, and prioritization of additional investigations and remedial efforts. Rapid information retrieval and graphics that easily convey the results of different types of risk analyses, facilitate the redevelopment process at the Brownsfield Site.
Go to . . .
2001 SRA Annual Meeting Table of Contents
2001 SRA Annual Meeting Author Index
Main Abstracts Menu Page
RiskWorld Home Page