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Dear Participant The questionnaire below is designed to gather views and information from a range of experts involved in the field of contaminated land assessment and reclamation. It is hoped that the data collected can be used to validate a knowledge-based system that has been compiled as part of a PhD project. The project has investigated the use of knowledge-based systems within the investigation process of potentially contaminated sites. If you are interested in knowing more about the study, you can contact me at [log in to unmask] I would be extremely grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and return it via e-mail. Thank you very much for your participation and assistance Apologies for cross-posting John Martin University of Durham QUESTIONNAIRE Evaluating the parameters used during the preliminary investigation of a potentially contaminated site. Section A: Details of Respondent Occupation :- Number of years of experience :- Type of organisation employed with :- (example; academic institution, consultants, contractors) Section B: Details of Indicators During a preliminary investigation of a potentially contaminated site, there are a number of indicators that may provide clues to likely contaminants. Please input the number which in your opinion best applies to each indicator, using the key below. KEY:5 = extremely useful, 4 = very useful, 3 = useful, 2 = little use, 1 = very-little use when used as sole indicator. (1) Current use of site [ ] (example; railway land: oils, coal-dust, asbestos, lead, etc.) (2) Historical use of site [ ] (example; wood treatment: zinc, arsenic, tar, phenols, etc.) (3) Presence of odours on site [ ] (example; bad-eggs due to sulphur, organic effluents) (4) Ground surface deposit type [ ] (example; sewage sludge: mercury, nickel, zinc, etc.) (5) Ground surface deposit colour [ ] (example; blue due to copper, sulphur, zinc, etc.) (6) Ground surface staining colour [ ] (example; green due to copper, chromium, arsenic, etc.) (7) Terrestrial vegetation (grasses, trees, shrubs, etc.): tolerant species [ ] (example; Brown bent grass due to zinc, lead) (8) Terrestrial vegetation: visible health symptoms [ ] (example; yellowing or browning of roots due to arsenic, lead) (9) Visible symptoms concerned with soil microbiology [ ] (example; reduced decomposition of leaf litter due to arsenic) (10) Terrestrial invertebrates: tolerant species [ ] (example; clubionid spiders: zinc) (11) Terrestrial invertebrates: visible health symptoms [ ] (example; earthworms, loss of saddle due to mercury) (12) Aquatic invertebrates tolerant species [ ] (example; crayfish: cadmium) (13) Aquatic invertebrates visible health symptoms [ ] (example; reduced number of mollusc taxa due to: zinc) (14) Visible health symptoms relating to mammals [ ] (example; reduced growth rate, bleaching of incisors due to: cadmium) Section C: Details of Groundwater Movement Groundwater plays an important role in the movement of contaminants. Therefore knowing the velocity of groundwater movement within a potentially contaminated site is extremely useful in the risk assessment process. Please indicate suitable ball park ranges of velocity for the following terms (m/day). Fast m/day Medium m/day Slow m/day Section D: Details of Targets When undertaking a risk assessment process on a potential contaminated site it is essential to highlight vulnerable targets. The following land use classification has been constructed to cover the range of land uses that may be found neighbouring a potential contaminated site. Please indicate the risk that you would assign to the following neighbouring land uses. Using the terms high (H), medium (M) and low (L), with high relating to a land use that is most vulnerable to contamination. (1) School [ ] (2) Public open space [ ] (3) Agricultural area [ ] (4) General commercial [ ] (5) Low density residential area [ ] (6) Medium density residential area [ ] (7) High density residential area [ ] (8) Light industrial area [ ] (9) Heavy industrial area [ ] (10) Permanently paved area [ ] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%