Use of ecotoxicological methods for evaluating risks caused by contaminated soils

Abstract : The understanding of risks for mankind and for ecosystems created by contaminated soils is a relatively old concept. Regulations concerning the protection and restoration of this milieu, on the other hand, have not been developed to any significant extent. Considerable research is under way to define methodologies for approaching the problem : evaluation of the extent of contamination and the corresponding risks, definition of criteria for starting rehabilitation operations, definition of quality aims of rehabilitated soil äs a function of the projected future use, in response to the question "How clean is clean ?" "i.e." up to what point should we decontaminate ?