Attributing Environmental Contamination: Assessing Liability Through Monte Carlo-Based Source Apportionment

Remediation of contaminated sites is costly, requiring fair allocation of restoration expenses among polluters. This study addresses a legal dispute concerning Kuzhikandam site in Kerala, India, contaminated with metals and organic compounds. A previous cost allocation was challenged for lacking scientific support. Using Monte Carlo Analysis, pollutant sources were apportioned based on a forensic investigation identifying four industrial contributors. Historical disposal data and outlet sample analyses were used to develop the distribution of potential disposal volumes. The results indicated varying contributions for pollutants across the four units. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the method’s robustness, offering a defensible basis for legal attribution.