The development of a knowledge-based system for the preliminary investigation of contaminated land

Science of The Total Environment

et al. 2022

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Framework for preliminary risk assessment of brownfield sites

Science of The Total Environment

et al. 2022

“…This phase of risk assessment aims to establish whether there are any potentially unacceptable risks with the site, whether any further information is likely to be needed to complete this stage or whether the site needs to be kept under review (Environment Agency 2016 ). The assessment process usually involves the analysis of substantial and wide ranging information to identify potential or existing constraints affecting the site or that could affect the site in the future (Martin and Toll 2006 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Criteria for Preliminary Risk Assessment of Brownfield Site: An International Survey of Experts

Environmental Management

et al. 2022

Comprehensive risk assessment of brownfield sites requires a broad range of knowledge and multi-disciplinary expertise. Whilst the identification of criteria requirements for preliminary risk assessment has received some attention, there appears to be no studies that have specifically examined professional perspectives relating to these requirements. Yet, variations in professional practitioners’ assessments may have significant consequences for the assessment of risks, and how the criteria are imparted to stakeholders. This study aims to identify the criteria requirements for preliminary risk assessment, using the pollutant linkage model (Source–Pathway–Receptor), and explores cross-disciplinary professional perspectives related to these requirements. To this end, this study commenced with a systematic review to identify various criteria streams required for the preliminary risk assessment of brownfield sites. Thereafter, a questionnaire survey was design and shared with brownfield site professionals. Quantitative analysis of the survey responses (n = 76) reveals disciplines have markedly different priorities relating to the same hazard. For instance, geophysicists, geochemists, and hydrologists do not raise concerns regarding ground movement that can result from the removal of storage and tanks, whilst the same hazard was considered as having a high importance by other professions (such as geologists and geotechnical engineers). This example, amongst others revealed in the study, underpins potential issues and implications for various stakeholders compiling and/or using preliminary risk assessment criteria. This study clarifies both the key criteria requirements for the preliminary risk assessment of brownfield sites, as well as the importance of recognising how variation in professionals’ perceptions plays in the risk assessment process. Although, specialist knowledge is essential for brownfield site investigation, so is the maintaining a broad-based view of other experts coming from different backgrounds, as this renders holistic risk assessment insights.

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“…A specialist is commonly employed to provide an independent professional report about the health and safety of a site, in terms of risk to human health and the built environment, by identifying actual or potential hazards of the site [12]. Addressing the complex parameters involved in the risk assessment process comprehensively and successfully requires expertise and knowledge from a number of disciplines, ranging from geotechnical engineers to geochemical scientists [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards the Creation of a Decision Support System Tool for the Preliminary Risk Assessment of Brownfield Sites

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

et al. 2020