Risk-based decision making to manage contaminated sediments

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Risk Assessment
• Environmental Management

Background:

• Sediment remediation presents unique challenges compared to land-based cleanups.
• Innovation in managing contaminated sediment risks has been limited until recently.
• Expert panel convened at the Third Battelle International Conference on Remediation of Contaminated Sediments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current sediment management decision-making processes.
• To propose future strategies for effective sediment management.
• To address the complexities and challenges in contaminated sediment remediation.

Main Methods:

• Review of current sediment management practices.
• Discussion of challenges in contaminated sediment remediation.
• Introduction of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) as a novel approach.

Main Results:

• Current sediment management decision-making processes are reviewed.
• Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) is presented as a key innovation.
• Comparative risk assessment and cost/benefit analysis are integrated with MCDA.

Conclusions:

• MCDA provides a rigorous foundation for evaluating contaminated sediment remedy alternatives.
• The proposed methods enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and credibility of decision-making.
• Improved approaches are needed for managing environmental risks posed by contaminated sediments.