Modelling-Based Estimations of the Ecological Risk for Shelf Ecosystems

This paper aims at performing model evaluations of ecological risk for the North Caspian ecosystem in case of various combinations of stressors. Knowing the status of estuary and shelf ecosystems as well as prediction of changes under intense anthropogenic influence and climate fluctuations are getting more and more important due to the issue of marine system management and risks related to development of their resources. It is rather difficult to provide ecological safety and simultaneously minimize costs. This can be explained not only by controversies between ecological and economical tasks but also by a common practice to apply separate methods in each of these fields without taking into account the complex nature of a real object under study. In a technocratic practice, making business decisions is aimed mostly at achievement of economic indicators without proper consideration of the ecological factor. The paper offers a method for ecological risk evaluation based on combined use of dynamic (ecosystemic) models, probability ecoscrining methods and observational data. Risk evaluation results using this synthesis allow for aligning ecological and economical purposes of safe shelf development.

Ecological Risk and Restoration Measures Relating to Heavy Metal Pollution in Industrial and Mining Wastelands

In this study, we applied an integrated approach to an ecological risk evaluation of heavy metal pollution in industrial and mining wastelands in Yangxin County, China. A total of 72 sampling sites were designated in the study area. The results show that the potential ecological risk levels of Hg and Cd are higher, and the coefficient of variation of mercury levels is large. Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and As are all at low potential ecological risk. The land types with relatively high ecological risks are alum and coal mines. In the soil of alum mines, the risk due to mercury is higher, while in coal mine soil, the risk due to cadmium is relatively higher.