Ecological Risk Assessments
Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs) involve the integration
of a variety of environmental disciplines including environmental
toxicology, environmental chemistry, and aquatic/terrestrial
ecology. For over 20 years, GLEC researchers have
conducted ERAs of wetlands, lakes, and streams for RCRA
Corrective Action sites, Superfund Sites, and state monitored
sites in Michigan, Ohio, and several other states.
For ERA studies, GLEC utlizes the multiple lines of evidence
or triad approach, which integrates surface water/sediment
toxicology and chemistry data with ecological and biological
data. GLEC researchers also recognize that even though
ERAs have a prescribed framework, consideration of sitespecific
issues in study designs often contributes to more
accurate and meaningful findings.
GLEC owns and
operates a wide
array of field sampling
equipment
for ERAs, including
seven specialized
sampling boats,
Vibracore sediment
samplers, and
backpack and boat
mounted electrofishing
equipment. Our Michigan and Ohio aquatic toxicology
laboratories are fully equipped to perform acute and chronic
toxicity evaluations, bioassays, and biomonitoring of surface
water, whole sediment, sediment elutriate, sediment porewater
and single compounds using vertebrate and invertebrate
test species. GLEC’s benthic and environmental chemistry
laboratories round out our ability to manage all aspects of an
ERA and deliver scientifically sound results.
Contact: John Barkach, Senior Program Manager
Click to Email 248-489-0900
