Interpretation of environmental assessment data. Final report, March 1978-September 1979

The report describes preliminary attempts to formulate viable models for interpreting environmental assessment data. The models are evaluated using data from the four most comprehensive environmental assessments. A format for entering environmental assessment results on FORTRAN computer sheets is presented and more complete data entry sheets, being developed by IERL-RTP are discussed. Various previously proposed models (Source Severity; Source Assessment Models SAM/I, SAM/IA, and SAM/IB) are investigated using the data from the four previously mentioned studies. Correlations between biotests and chemical results, and between biotests, were calculated using the data from these four studies; a summary of possible correlations is presented. In the study of correlations, the data are examined from each study individually and from the entire data set taken as a whole. Generally, results do not reveal a strong degree of association between the chemical analyses and the biological tests. When all factors relevant to an intelligent decision on the acceptability of a waste stream are considered, there appears to be no mathematical model that will encompass all of them. The models are useful but must still be utilized with considerable care.