AQUARISK 3.2
Introduction
AQUARISK is underpinned by years of research into the biological impact of acid rock drainage and geochemical speciation modeling, to perform site-specific, quantitative, probabilistic Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA).
Ecological Risk Assessment
AQUARISK predicts risk in terms of either exceedence of limits/guidelines or degree of ecosystem impact. It is designed to provide environmental engineering targets that are ecologically relevant and hence the most economically viable.
AQUARISK estimates the degree by which the toxicant concentrations need to be reduced in order to achieve a tolerably small degree of impact. Thus, the program provides the hitherto missing link between environmental engineering and ecosystem impact. In this way it ensures that any actions are directed towards specific environmental goals instead of the current nebulous aims of ‘reduced impact’ or an ‘improved environment’ that in the past have often lead to large expenditure for little or no gain.
AQUARISK’s predictions of ecological detriment have been validated at sites affected by acid drainage in the Northern Territory and in South Australia. These results have been exposed to international critical review. In both cases the program closely matched the measured degree of ecological detriment, whilst being slightly over predictive. These outcomes show that the Precautionary Principle is being applied in a reasonable manner.
The program has also been used in cost-benefit analysis of various remedial water quality options for mines. For the stakeholders, it then becomes a much easier task to decide upon what level of treatment is needed to achieve the required, and acceptable, degree of ecological recovery.
Regulators, environmental consultants and environmentally responsible operators of industrial facilities releasing contaminants to the environment have all favourably reviewed AQUARISK.
AQUARISK will contribute greatly to the sustainability of industry by providing an accurate assessment of the likely environmental hazards posed by mining and industrial processes. The output from the software clearly defines any limitations of the data and the degree of imprecision in its results. This will allow managers and regulators to adequately assess sites or to identify short comings in the available information so as to focus effort in those areas.
AQUARISK is designed to enhance the conservation of biodiversity. In Australia, this means greater protection for unique flora and fauna. The program is particularly well suited to comparing the adverse impacts of any suite of environmental management practice options. As such it can certainly assist in improving ecological sustainability at all levels of industry. The technology directly links on-site environmental engineering targets and outcomes to probable off-site ecological detriment. Hence, it is ideally suited for setting remediation targets or release limits to enhance and protect freshwater and marine habitats and other environments.