The report presents the rationale and guidelines for implementation of the 'Standard Elutriate Test' as authorized in Rules and Regulations, Transportation for Dumping of Material into Ocean Waters, Title 40, Chapter 1, Subchapter H, Part 227.61(c), Federal Register, Volume 38, No. 198, 15 October 1973. The immediate bioavailable fraction of a sediment is dissolved in the sediment interstitial water or in an ionic form that is bound to the ion exchange fraction of the sediment. The elutriate test indicates those constituents in the interstitial water and those ions loosely bound to the ion exchange fraction and, therefore, is a viable criterion for estimating the immediate impact on water quality.

The report presents the rationale and guidelines for implementation of the 'Standard Elutriate Test' as authorized in Rules and Regulations, Transportation for Dumping of Material into Ocean Waters, Title 40, Chapter 1, Subchapter H, Part 227.61(c), Federal Register, Volume 38, No. 198, 15 October 1973. The immediate bioavailable fraction of a sediment is dissolved in the sediment interstitial water or in an ionic form that is bound to the ion exchange fraction of the sediment. The elutriate test indicates those constituents in the interstitial water and those ions loosely bound to the ion exchange fraction and, therefore, is a viable criterion for estimating the immediate impact on water quality.

The guidance contained in this publication addresses the selection of substances of concern and effects to be determined, field sampling, and physical, chemical and biological analysis, as well as guidelines for the sampling of sediment intended for disposal at sea and the selection and analysis of physical and chemical parameters for the assessment of dredged material quality.--Publisher's description.