Aggregate production
Generalised guidelines for the sustainable exploitation of aggregates in areas with elevated arsenic concentrations
The toxicological risks of aggregate production to the environment in areas with elevated concentrations of arsenic (or other potentially harmful elements) can be preliminarily recognized on the basis of a conceptual model that describes how arsenic is spread from the production site to the surrounding areas and what the potential exposure routes are.
On aggregate production sites, the toxicological risks comprise the following three components:
- Source: Arsenic in the production area: Rock or soil types or geological features such as cracks, veins or dykes or aggregate products stored on site and containing elevated arsenic concentrations.
- Pathways: Possible transport of arsenic to and with surface water, groundwater or air dust.
- Recipients: Important groundwater reservoirs, vulnerable species in receiving water bodies, human beings etc.
An accurate and comprehensive conceptual model is helpful in the selection of necessary sample types, analytical methods and scenarios for risk assessment, and in the identification of potential risk management tools.
Read more at:
- Report: Preliminary risk assessment for rock aggregate production and construction sites - Building a Conceptual Site Model and defining worst case scenarios Download pdf
- Report: Risk assessment and risk management tools Download pdf
- Report: Sampling and analysis Download pdf
