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Key contaminantsSediment contaminants are, by definition, associated with the solid phase that settles to the bottom of rivers, lakes, harbors and estuaries. The moresoluble contaminants, such as chlorinated ethanes, that are often of concern in ground or surface waters, are rarely sediment concerns. An exception is for those situations where a ground water contaminated by such a contaminant is discharging through sediments into a surface water body. Generally, however, it is the low solubility organic contaminants or metals that are of concern for contaminated sediments. Examples of the organic contaminants include the petroleum hydrocarbons and polyaromatic hydrocarbons from the use or discharge of fossil fuels and heavy chlorinated contaminants such as PCBs, dioxins and DDT. Metals are often associated chemically with subaqueous sediments and, depending upon the chemistry of the sediments, a fraction may be soluble and directly available for release and uptake by benthic and pelagic organisms.
Produced by the Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest
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