Development of a risk assessment methodology for evaluating potential impacts associated with contaminated mud disposal in the marine environment

In order to assess impacts associated with disposal of contaminated mud ari sing from Hong Kong's dredging and reclamation projects, a methodology has been formulated to determine the level of risk posed by consumption of seaf ood/marine prey species to humans and to the Chinese White Dolphin (Sousa c hinensis). This methodology improves on previously used techniques by incor porating risks for organic contaminants, accounting for doses from sources other than seafood, and incorporating additional local knowledge on Sousa c hinensis behaviour. It thus represents an advance in risk assessment techni ques and a new integration of risk assessment and monitoring in environment al management. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.