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                             [    ]





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