5. Conclusions

A historical and documentary study can be considered complete and successful when :

• It identifies and locates potential sources of pollution related to past and present activities on the site, and assesses the site's environmental vulnerability;

• it allows you to schedule field surveys (stage B), in order to gather the information needed to carry out the simplified risk assessment;

• it represents an initial decision-making tool for assessing the risk that the site may present for the environment and for future site management.

Understanding and evaluating the scientific elements, knowing the people we meet, and being rigorous and in control of the way the study is carried out are all essential elements in guaranteeing the quality of the historical...