Location-based modeling and management of critical contaminant risks through a Spatial Decision Support System Approach

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Canada's economy is based on intensive activities such as agriculture, forestry, petroleum production and urbanization that produce or consume vast quantities of chemicals resulting in the presence of critical and emerging contaminants such as carcinogenic water disinfection byproducts, nano-scaled pesticide and medication residues. Critically, these persistent and risky contaminants are weakly understood because the rate of contaminants introduction is greater than that of assessment, and because methodological shortcomings prevent quantification and control of the risks. Proposed research will yield a major benefit in terms of safe living environment and public health by enabling us to examine the risks from critical contaminants (CCs) and their transformation products. The developed system tools and practical application results are essential to regulators and agencies responsible for management of CCs, including Environment Canada, Chemicals Management Regulatory Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and industry. The proposed research has superiorities over traditional methods of risk assessment in managing CCs through (i) novel incorporation of related simulation of ultrafine particle interactions in environmental flows for advancing regional-scale spatial modeling of pollutants fate and transport, (ii) effective quantification of system uncertainties using hybrid statistical, fuzzy stochastic, and intelligent network techniques throughout model-driven or assessor-based decision making process, and (iii) spatial decision support through geo-referenced dispersal modeling, spatial visualization reporting, and expert decision engine. Thus, useful environmental strategic analysis based on the proposed methods can be made available for breaking technical barriers before any decision becomes implemented. The proposed front edge model-driven spatial decision analysis tools will be applied to address emerging CCs problems to safeguard clean environment and human health. The research results will enhance Canada's reputation of being a high-tech, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible country in the world through the Canadian version of novel systematic assessment approach to manage critical contaminants.