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ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT<br />

2.3.8.6 Calculation of concentration in groundwater<br />

In this section, the following parameter is derived:<br />

• local concentration in groundwater.<br />

The concentration in groundwater is calculated <strong>for</strong> indirect exposure of humans through drinking<br />

water. For the calculation of groundwater levels, several numerical models are available (mainly<br />

<strong>for</strong> pesticides). These models, however, require a characterisation of the soil on a high level of<br />

detail. This makes these models less appropriate <strong>for</strong> the initial st<strong>and</strong>ard assessment. There<strong>for</strong>e, as<br />

an indication <strong>for</strong> potential groundwater levels, the concentration in porewater of agricultural soil<br />

is taken. It should be noted that this is a worst-case assumption, neglecting trans<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>and</strong><br />

dilution in deeper soil layers.<br />

Explanation of symbols<br />

86<br />

PEClocal grw = PEClocal agr.soil,porew<br />

(68)<br />

PEClocalagr.soil,porew predicted environmental conc. in porewater [mg . l -1 ] eq. (67)<br />

PEClocalgrw predicted environmental conc. in groundwater [mg . l -1 ]<br />

2.3.8.7 Calculation of PECregional<br />

In this section, the following parameters are derived:<br />

• Regional exposure concentrations in all environmental compartments.<br />

Regional computations are done by<br />

means of multimedia fate models based<br />

on the fugacity concept. Recently, models<br />

have been described by Mackay et al.<br />

(1992), Van de Meent (1993) <strong>and</strong><br />

Br<strong>and</strong>es et al., 1996) (SimpleBox). These<br />

models are box models, consisting of a<br />

number of compartments (see Figure 13)<br />

which are considered homogeneous <strong>and</strong><br />

well mixed. A substance released into the<br />

model scenario is distributed between the<br />

compartments according to the properties<br />

of both the substance <strong>and</strong> the model<br />

environment. Several types of fate<br />

processes are distinguished in the<br />

regional assessment, as drawn in<br />

Figure 13:<br />

emission advection diffusion degradation<br />

• emission, direct <strong>and</strong> indirect (via STP) to the compartments air, water, industrial soil, <strong>and</strong><br />

agricultural soil;<br />

• degradation, biotic <strong>and</strong> abiotic degradation processes in all compartments;<br />

AIR<br />

SED.<br />

WATER<br />

NATURAL<br />

SOIL<br />

AIR<br />

AGRICULT.<br />

SOIL<br />

GROUNDWATER<br />

INDUST.<br />

SOIL<br />

Figure 13 The relevant emission <strong>and</strong> distribution routes

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