Integrated decision support system

In addition to supporting the investigation of the site, NORISC was developed into an integrated user-friendly tool for all stakeholders concerning more generally the contaminated site management. A multifunctional decision support system (NORISC DSS) was provided that makes handling of investigation results more efficient standardising and visualising the data, as well as transferring them into common GIS systems. Moreover, the NORISC DSS assists risk assessment and evaluation of revitalisation options for a really comprehensive elucidation of site reclamation alternatives. These functions were integrated into a common NORISC interface in a modular way, allowing for their optional use.

Data management

The development of an on site visualisation software as an interface to GIS (Geo-Information-System) is a key issue in development of a multifunctional user-friendly system. The advantage of the visualization lies in the refinement of the collected field data and their presentation of the investigation results in an easily understandable way for all involved people.

Spatial information and results from different investigation methods (analytical measurements, geophysical screening, hydrogeological testing, etc.) can be visualized allowing for a more comprehensive definition of the contamination (the pollution sources and pools, geological conditions).

This tool provides on site visualisation of data, representing them in one map. All collected data can be seen in a common context and the necessary information for risk assessment can be gathered. After data refinement and creating the final results with a commercial GIS, also non-experts can see in which condition the examined area is and where contaminations have been found.

All data for a contaminated site shall be collected and entered into the NORISC DSS. The DSS suggests suitable examination methods for the site and the field investigation is carried out. The data of the different applied methods are collected and processed in a common data pool, and can be transported into any common GIS.

During testing of NORISC methodology, all data collected at the site were integrated in the GIS-Input-Module to facilitate on site visualization of the findings. The compatibility of the data formats from the different investigation methods was ensured, hence the data format was standardised.

The developed GSI3D software based on standard XML-data-format allows the visualization of spatial data in 1D-, 2D- and 3D-model. Results from field investigation can be entered into a GIS and a user friendly visual presentation of the spatial distribution is given in form of maps. This facilitates risk assessment for contaminated sites as well as dynamic decisions and workplans in the field.

Visualization of contaminated sites in 1D-, 2D- and 3D-model with GSI3D

Risk assessment

The scope of the NORISC project has been extended to include a risk assessment software module, which offers a uniform procedure for assessing risk to humans in urban areas. The human health risk (HRA) procedure may be adjusted to site-specific circumstances, including different land use scenarios and different types of contaminants.

The site-specific HRA procedure encompasses baseline risk assessment, including development of site data set, exposure assessment, toxicity assessment and risk characterisation, as well as development of site-specific health-based preliminary remedial goals for soil and groundwater.

The NORISC HRA framework was developed for three typical urban land-use categories and the following relevant exposure pathways:

Land use Soil exposure pathway Groundwater exposure pathway
Residential Surface soil
Incidental soil and dust ingestion
Dermal contact with soil
Inhalation of fugitive dusts

Subsurface soil
Inhalation of volatiles outdoors		 Ingestion of groundwater used as a tap water

Dermal contact while showering or bathing

Inhalation of volatiles from groundwater during household use
Industrial -
Recreational -

This module was developed to link the site investigation and remediation/revitalisation decision-making. It is proposed to use this module when national soil and groundwater limit values are exceeded.

The NORISC HRA software module provides decision-makers, investors, city planners and stakeholders with information on the level and spatial distribution of human health risk at a contaminated site. It can also be used as a basis for selecting the appropriate remediation option and for designing and conducting revitalisation of contaminated sites.

Revitalisation strategy

The economic aspects of industrial site revitalisation, according to environmental assessment, remediation and possible ways of reuse is integrated into NORISC DSS in form of a guideline and software module.

The Revitalisation Module provides a particular set of "targeted levels of clean-up" and the "methods capable to achieve this targeted levels of clean-up", referred to as a remediation option. Usually, several options are open for each site. The Revitalisation Module's goal is to select the optimal "site-option" combination(s) from a set of sites and a set of options. The selection is based on the social benefits (avoided risks) and the financial benefits (change in land value) achieved by the site-option combinations, and on the costs of the options.
The stakeholders using the revitalisation strategy include:
  • state budget officials and city developers whose goal is to maximise net social benefit;
  • investors, whose goal is to maximise financial profit.

In one aspect, the Revitalisation Module provides Single-Site Management (SSM). In SSM each site and the related possible options are identified and characterised by state budget officials and city developers. SSM identifies the site's name, size, and location and the possible options (targeted levels of clean-up, clean-up methods, benefits, and costs). In SSM also the socially acceptable (available) site-option combinations are concerned and the unacceptable combinations are excluded from further assessment.

On the other hand, the Revitalisation Module can deal with more sites. The Multi-Site Management (MSM) that mainly carried out by budget officials, city developers and investors, selects the required site (or sites) for revitalisation according to the stakeholders' direct requirements and even provides the most appropriate remediation option(s).

The input of MSM consists of:
  • the output of SSMs related to the available site-option combinations
  • the expectations of investors from the site.

The output of MSM is the rank of site-option combinations for all stakeholders.

MSM is used to select one or more site-option combinations. An example is shown in the figure here.