Data underlying the publication: Environmental risk assessment related to using resource recovery-based bio-composite materials in the aquatic environment with new laboratory leaching test data

The new bio-composite materials are used for different products such as canal bank protection elements and as façade building elements. The framework is based on European environmental risk assessment guidelines, and it includes four key steps: (i) hazard identification, (ii) dose–response modelling, (iii) exposure assessment and (iv) risk characterisation (i.e. assessment). As part of the first step, laboratory leaching tests were carried out to evaluate the potential release of specific chemical substances such as heavy metals and resin compounds into the aquatic environment. Laboratory test results were then used as input data to evaluate the risk of potential leaching into surface water. A deterministic model was used first to identify the chemicals exceeding the guideline threshold. Subsequently, a stochastic model was applied to evaluate the uncertainties of the input data. Concerning canal bank protection element, the risk analyses were conducted for four alternative bio-composite materials made of different ingredients, two different flow conditions (stagnant water and advective flow) in two types of canals (wide ditch and primary watercourse) and for two different water levels based on season conditions (summer and winter conditions) for canal bank protection elements. A stochastic model was applied to evaluate the environmental risks across a range of leachate concentrations and water velocities in the canal, thereby simulating a broader spectrum of possible situations.

本研究涉及的新型生物复合材料（bio-composite materials）可用于制备河堤防护构件、建筑外立面构件等多种产品。其评估框架依托欧盟环境风险评估指南搭建，包含四大核心步骤：(i) 危害识别，(ii) 剂量-响应建模，(iii) 暴露评估，(iv) 风险表征（即风险评估）。作为第一步的研究内容，本研究开展了实验室浸出试验（laboratory leaching tests），以评估重金属、树脂类化合物等特定化学物质向水生环境的潜在释放量。随后将实验室测试结果作为输入数据，用于评估化学物质潜在浸出至地表水的风险。首先采用确定性模型（deterministic model）筛选出超出指南阈值的化学物质，随后通过随机模型（stochastic model）对输入数据的不确定性进行评估。针对河堤防护构件，本次风险分析覆盖四类采用不同成分制备的备选生物复合材料，两种河道类型（宽沟渠与主干河道）中的两种水流工况（静止水体与平流流动），以及基于季节工况（夏季与冬季）的两种水位场景。本次研究再次采用随机模型，针对河道内一系列渗滤液浓度与水流速度工况开展环境风险评估，以此模拟更广泛的潜在场景。