An expanded conceptual framework for solution-focused management of chemical pollution in European waters

Abstract

BackgroundThis paper describes a conceptual framework for solutions-focused management of chemical contaminants built on novel and systematic approaches for identifying, quantifying and reducing risks of these substances.MethodsThe conceptual framework was developed in interaction with stakeholders representing relevant authorities and organisations responsible for managing environmental quality of water bodies. Stakeholder needs were compiled via a survey and dialogue. The content of the conceptual framework was thereafter developed with inputs from relevant scientific disciplines.ResultsThe conceptual framework consists of four access points: Chemicals, Environment, Abatement and Society, representing different aspects and approaches to engaging in the issue of chemical contamination of surface waters. It widens the scope for assessment and management of chemicals in comparison to a traditional (mostly) perchemical risk assessment approaches by including abatement- and societal approaches as optional solutions. The solution-focused approach implies an identification of abatement- and policy options upfront in the risk assessment process. The conceptual framework was designed for use in current and future chemical pollution assessments for the aquatic environment, including the specific challenges encountered in prioritising individual chemicals and mixtures, and is applicable for the development of approaches for safe chemical management in a broader sense. The four access points of the conceptual framework are interlinked by four key topics representing the main scientific challenges that need to be addressed, i.e.: identifying and prioritising hazardous chemicals at different scales; selecting relevant and efficient abatement options; providing regulatory support for chemicals management; predicting and prioritising future chemical risks. The conceptual framework aligns current challenges in the safe production and use of chemicals. The current state of knowledge and implementation of these challenges is described.ConclusionsThe use of the conceptual framework, and addressing the challenges, is intended to support: (1) forwarding sustainable use of chemicals, (2) identification of pollutants of priority concern for cost-effective management, (3) the selection of optimal abatement options and (4) the development and use of optimised legal and policy instruments.

Developments in society and implications for emerging pollutants in the aquatic environment

“…To achieve an effective and successful management of river basins, mitigation options for chemicals of major concern have to be applied in a prioritized and solution-focused approach. An extended conceptual framework for the solution-focused management of chemical pollution in European waters has been developed and applied within the SOLUTIONS project on emerging pollutants [97]. The decision support system, RiBaTox, may serve as guidance to decision makers regarding the identification of appropriate instruments to select and implement these efforts (RiBaTox, Version 2018, https ://solut ions.marvi n.vito.be/).…”

“…The selection of tools to identify and prioritize pollutants for further action should be guided by the regional or local chemical fingerprints, not on individual substances. Furthermore, risk reduction measures are required to address multiple exposures to legacy, present, and emerging pollutants in a solution-focused approach [97]. Site-specific abatement packages are required to address the priority pollutants on a regional or local scale [98].…”

Prospective mixture risk assessment and management prioritizations for river catchments with diverse land uses

“…Such actions would imply a change in emission of suites of chemicals, with those suites including the set of chemicals of high priority within the land use. Abating chemical risks can utilize a suite of options, not solely a chemo-centric approach (National Research Council 2009;Munthe et al 2017); and it was, for example, shown earlier that an analysis of spatial associations between emission points and water bodies with sensitive functions (drinking water production, protected nature) can be a basis to reduce impacts via smart spatial arrangements (Coppens et al 2015) and that clever strategies may be utilized to reduce adverse effects of chemicals and other water quality parameters (Malaj et al 2014;Barclay et al 2016). From upstream to downstream, land-use influences on smaller tributaries may be characterized by mixtures with greater exposures and simpler composition, with a "land-use dilution" effect in the downstream direction (L opez-Serna et al 2012).…”

Simplifying environmental mixtures—An aquatic exposure‐based approach via land use scenarios

“…The results imply that risk assessment and associated risk management strategies may be developed, potentially by the solution‐focused approach to risk assessment (e.g., National Research Council ; Munthe et al ), by focusing on a few multiconstituent compounds—the typical mixtures found downstream of a land use—rather than solely on all individual compounds. The set of articles suggests that emissions from true catchments and land uses can be addressed through science‐based approaches that consider exposure scenarios for a wide range of ecosystems and land use types.…”

“…These scenarios can serve both prospective and retrospective risk assessments, and could also support the development of cost‐effective management actions that may be as typical to the land uses as the typical chemical signatures. Opportunities to reduce the emissions caused by city runoff are different from those to reduce emissions from household chemicals or agricultural chemicals (Munthe et al ; Van Wezel et al ), and this has recently been recognized as basis, for example, for storm water management and urban planning (Sharley et al ).…”