MITE-RN Ecological Risk Assessment

The research projects being conducted under the MITE Research Network will closely align with the Canadian paradigm for ecological risk assessment as it applies to metals. The results of the research projects will feed into a Risk Characterisation to produce the following major products (in addition to the individual reports and publications that are normally produced as part of a scientific study):

  • A revaluation of the overall risk of metals in the global environment based on the new information gathered by the above noted studies, and incorporation of other relevant and appropriate studies conducted by other researchers (not restricted to Canada or to researchers or organizations with whom linkages have been developed)

  • A revised ecological risk assessment framework for metals in the environment, for both regional (e.g. Canadian Shield) and local risk assessments.

These two products, which integrate the results of the MITE Research Network, will be developed under the guidance of Dr. Peter Campbell (MITE RN, Research Director, Tel. 418-654-2538) and Dr. Peter Chapman (EVS Environment Consultants, North Vancouver, BC., Tel. 604-986-4331).

  • ERA Summary of MITE-RN Studies, asking 3 key questions: "Why was this study done?", "What were they key findings", and "Why should regulators and non-scientists care about these findings?" is now available. PDF, October 2003.

  • MITE-RN Year 4 Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Achievements
    A key objective of the Metals in the Environment Research Network is to improve Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) for metals. We adopted the ERA model for the Network, specifically developing projects in three main ERA components (termed domains within MITE-RN): Hazard Identification (Sources); Exposure Assessment (Processes); and Effects Assessment (Impacts). In the ERA model, these three components are integrated into Risk Characterisation, to assess the probability of risk. Risk Characterisation is the joint responsibility of Peter Chapman (EVS Environment Consultants) and Peter Campbell (Network Principal Investigator). One of the major ERA accomplishments in Year 4 has been the development of a comprehensive synthesis of the ERA implications of each MITE-RN project, in tabular form. This compilation provides a concise summary of the ERA implications of each project, and identifies how the new research findings may/should change the way ecological risk assessments are performed for metals. The summary table is regularly updated as new results become available; the PIs submit their new findings to Dr. Chapman, who then updates and periodically distributes the table. Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Context of Existing MITE-RN Studies (PDF, updated March 2004)

  • Conducting Ecological Risk Assessments of Inorganic Metals and Metalloids: Current Status (PDF). From Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 641-697 (2003).

  • Table of contents from the Journal of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment (volume 9). (PDF)

  • Vision for the Ecological Risk Assessment component of the MITE-RN in PDF format.
    (added October 17, 2001)

  • Click here to view a slide presentation
    (Click here to download the PowerPoint file)

  • Status Reports: 2002 | 2001 (PDF)

  • Issues in Ecological Risk Assessments of Inorganic Metals and Metalloids, a paper by Peter Chapman and Feiyue Wang. Authors version (PDF), Published version (PDF - scan)

Ecological Risk Assessment Internships

Since a key objective of the Network has been the need to interpret new knowledge generated through MITE-RN research in the context of an environmental risk assessment (ERA) framework, an Internship program which involves the creation of two “intern” post doctoral level positions was created. Dr. Richard Goulet works in Hull under the supervision of Dr. Pat Doyle at Environment Canada, and Dr. Collins Kamunde works in North Vancouver under the supervision of Dr. Peter Chapman, of EVS Environment Consultants. Dr. Chapman is the MITE- RN ERA coordinator. Co-sponsorship of the MITE-RN ERA intern program is provided by Environment Canada and through the NSERC Industrial Research Fellowship program.