This is a brief description of studies that exemplify the methods and approaches that have been developed and used by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers in conducting integrated assessments. See the complete list of Integrated Assessment Briefs to find out more about ORNL's efforts in integrated assessment. Contact Mike Farrell (farrellmp@ornl.gov) for more information.

Environmental Risk Analysis--Integrated Assessments


A schematic illustration shows the flow of information leading from laboratory data to an estimation of risk expressed as a frequency distribution of effects.

Can environmental risk analysis be made a routine part of integrated assessments?

Codes exist to integrate laboratory toxicological data with an aquatic ecosystem model, the Standard Water Column Model (SWACOM), and calculate risk to biota. The approach is being routinely applied to environmental problems.

O'Neill, R. V., R. H. Gardner, L. W. Barnthouse, G. W. Suter, S. G. Hildebrand, and C. W. Gehrs. 1982. Ecosystem risk analysis: A new methodology. Journal of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 1:167-177.

Bartell, S. M., R. H. Gardner, and R. V. O'Neill. 1992. Ecological Risk Estimation. Lewis Publishers, Ann Arbor, Mich.


Where To?

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Integrated Assessment Briefs. 1995. ORNL/M-4227. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.