Decision Consequence Analysis (DCA) of Intervention Alternatives on Landfills Wandir I and II, Volta Redonda (RJ - Brasil)

Decision Consequence Analysis (DCA) is the application of a formalized decision-making process that employs decision theory, probability and statistics (Brown et al, 2010). A decision problem is addressed by disaggregating uncertainties and predicting positive and negative outcomes of possible management approaches. DCA provides a structured model for mapping and evaluating possible outcomes and risks associated with decisions. The DCA can be used as a decision support system for the management of environmental liabilities. An environmental liability may involve several aspects such as legal, physical, chemical, biological, political, financial and social. Through global analysis of these aspects, logical consequence models are generated to assist the decision maker in choosing the best management alternatives. In this work, DCA is applied to the management of landfills Wandir I and II, in Volta Redonda (RJ). These landfills received wastes between 1995 and 1997, in an area of almost 140,000 m². After environmental studies initiated in 2000, the area was classified as contaminated and has been the subject of environmental monitoring until the present. Contamination in soil and groundwater is due to metals and PAHs in concentrations that exceed human health risk thresholds under the hypothetical scenario of groundwater consumption by residents. Alternatives for intervention and site closure were evaluated through DCA.