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Toward Sustainable Land Management: Improving Ecological Risk Assessment by Incorporating Temporal–Spatial Activities of Protected Birds

Author

Listed:
  • Dan Zhao

    (Key Laboratory of Environmental Damage Identification and Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100041, China
    Center for Environmental Risk and Damage Assessment, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Weida Wu

    (Key Laboratory of Environmental Damage Identification and Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100041, China
    Center for Environmental Risk and Damage Assessment, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Wenqi Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Environmental Damage Identification and Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100041, China
    Center for Environmental Risk and Damage Assessment, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Fang Yu

    (Key Laboratory of Environmental Damage Identification and Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100041, China
    Center for Environmental Risk and Damage Assessment, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Qian Sun

    (Key Laboratory of Environmental Damage Identification and Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100041, China
    Center for Environmental Risk and Damage Assessment, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China)

Abstract

While methodologies for health risk assessment at contaminated sites are well established, ecological risk assessment remains in its exploratory stages. To explore suitable methods for evaluating the ecological risks of soil pollution, this study selected ten protected birds as risk receptors and evaluated the ecological risks posed by lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) at a petrochemical-contaminated site using a tiered approach. In the first tier, the risks of pollutants in soil and water were preliminarily evaluated based on existing ecological risk screening values, environmental quality standards, etc. The results indicated that pollutants in the soil and water at certain sampling points required attention. In the second tier, the ecological risks of multi-pathway exposure were assessed using the quotient method. This study improved the traditional exposure calculation model, which relied solely on bird body weight, by incorporating an exposure frequency adjustment coefficient. This coefficient accounts for the global activity patterns of birds, including the types of their activities (overwintering, breeding, migration, etc.) on the site, the temporal patterns of their activities, and the proportion of the site area relative to their annual activity range. Due to the low exposure frequency of birds on the site, ranging from 7.8 × 10 −11 to 9.69 × 10 −7 , the total exposure levels of birds were relatively low and their risk quotients were below 1, indicating an acceptable level. This study demonstrates the rationality and feasibility of a tiered ecological risk assessment method based on an improved pollutant exposure model for birds, laying the foundation for developing soil pollution ecological risk assessment methodologies and standards in China and other countries while also supporting comprehensive and effective risk management and sustainable utilization of land.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Zhao & Weida Wu & Wenqi Zhang & Fang Yu & Qian Sun, 2025. "Toward Sustainable Land Management: Improving Ecological Risk Assessment by Incorporating Temporal–Spatial Activities of Protected Birds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:1948-:d:1599088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qu, C.S. & Chen, W. & Bi, J. & Huang, L. & Li, F.Y., 2011. "Ecological risk assessment of pesticide residues in Taihu Lake wetland, China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(2), pages 287-292.
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