Using soil function evaluation in multi-criteria decision analysis for sustainability appraisal of remediation alternatives

Abstract

Soil contamination is one of the major threats constraining proper functioning of the soil and thus provision of ecosystem services. Remedial actions typically only address the chemical soil quality by reducing total contaminant concentrations to acceptable levels guided by land use. However, emerging regulatory requirements on soil protection demand a holistic view on soil assessment in remediation projects thus accounting for a variety of soil functions. Such a view would require not only that the contamination concentrations are assessed and attended to, but also that other aspects are taking into account, thus addressing also physical and biological as well as other chemical soil quality indicators (SQIs). This study outlines how soil function assessment can be a part of a holistic sustainability appraisal of remediation alternatives using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The paper presents a method for practitioners for evaluating the effects of remediation alternatives on selected ecological soil functions using a suggested minimum data set (MDS) containing physical, biological and chemical SQIs. The measured SQIs are transformed into sub-scores by the use of scoring curves, which allows interpretation and the integration of soil quality data into the MCDA framework. The method is demonstrated at a study site (Marieberg, Sweden) and the results give an example of how soil analyses using the suggested MDS can be used for soil function assessment and subsequent input to the MCDA framework.

Soil “Ecosystem” Services and Natural Capital: Critical Appraisal of Research on Uncertain Ground

“…In particular, soil functions have become a cornerstone in the long-standing debate on the somewhat vague concepts of "soil quality" and "soil health, " various authors arguing for the existence of absolute values of the notions for any given soil, whereas a growing number of researchers consider that their evaluation makes sense only in relation to specific soil functions (e.g., Sojka and Upchurch, 1999;Bouma, 2002Bouma, , 2010Bouma, , 2014Nortcliff, 2002;Letey et al, 2003;Robert, 2005;Kibblewhite et al, 2008;Keller et al, 2012;Thomsen et al, 2012;Volchko et al, 2014).…”

“…In particular, Volchko et al (2013Volchko et al ( , 2014 have shown how soil functions, as defined in the context of the EU Soil Directive, could be used as key criteria, along with various socio-economic considerations, when trying to reach a decision about the best reclamation option for contaminated brownfields. The Excel-based computer program SCORE used in the research has since been developed further and is made available (Rosen et al, 2015;Söderqvist et al, 2015).…”

Soil Degradation and Soil Quality in Western Europe: Current Situation and Future Perspectives

“…Although these studies are complicated to carry out because they are site specific, they are very valuable for assessing SQ response to different types of agricultural management (e.g., [200]). Some initiatives are currently being developed for considering the multi-functionality of soils for land management decision (see Section 3.3 for those by Schulte et al and by Volchko et al [201,202]). …”

“…Another example of a decision tool that considers soil functions and that can be used to evaluate remediation alternatives for contaminated soils has been described by Volchko and coworkers [202]. This is based on the inclusion of selected ecological soil functions (basis for primary production, cycling of carbon, water, nitrogen and phosphorus) in a multi-criteria decision analysis.…”

Effective and Sustainable Flood and Landslide Risk Reduction Measures: An Investigation of Two Assessment Frameworks

“…Their foci and purposes vary, but costs are often valued in relation to technical performance and/or impacts on the environment (Renn 2005;Volchko et al 2014). In general, the methodology also encourages an integrative role of stakeholders.…”