Ecological Risk Assessments

Ecological risk assessment is the appraisal of potential adverse effects of exposure to contaminants on flora and fauna (plants and animals). While LANL has a number of projects in place to evaluate and monitor the natural ecology of the area, often in environmental science, the question is related to an altered ecology. For instance, if PCB levels in soil are sufficiently low as to not pose a risk to human health, do they pose a risk to species in the area?

Ecological specialists at LANL have developed a tool to answer more complex questions like these. We use data collected in our surveys of habitat, species, and virtually all other areas of applied ecology, to model impacts on the ecology at LANL. We work with other organizations at the Laboratory to address ecological risk and to incorporate ecological planning in all activities.