Traditional ecological risk assessment evaluates the exposure of ecological "receptors" (individuals, populations or communities of organisms) to toxicants associated with industrial activities, considers the toxic effects and potency of the contaminants, and describes the risk of adverse effects in the larger ecological or geographic context. 10,000 Years Institute scientists have extensive experience with the development and application of ecological risk assessment methods. We've used ecorisk methods on several projects, including understanding risks to endangered species, but our largest ecological risk assessment project is in the watershed of Lake Baikal's largest tributary, the Selenga River, in Russia.

Human development in the watershed of Lake Baikal is degrading water quality and biological diversity. The Selenga River is affected by fishing, mining, grazing and urban development, but the scope of these impacts remain largely undocumented and unmanaged. 10,000 Years Institute, working with an international coalition of scientists and institutions, has been conducting an investigation of water quality, mercury and total polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) in sediment and biotic media, juvenile fish community condition, and food web structure in the lower Selenga River. We completed a report on a project in the lower river in 2000 and are analyzing data from several other trips to the region.

Download an abstract (pdf format) or full report (pdf format) of our 2000 Selenga River investigation.