Sediment contamination is a widespread environmental problem that can potentially pose a threat to a variety of aquatic ecosystems. The sediment test methods in this manual will be used by The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to make decisions under a range of statutory authorities concerning such issues as: dredged material disposal, registration of pesticides and toxic substances, superfound site assessment, and assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. The use of uniform sediment testing procedures by USEPA programs is expected to increase data accuracy and precision, facilitate test replication, increase the comparative value of test results, and ultimately, increase the efficiency of regulatory processes requiring sediment tests.

Bioavailability refers to the extent to which humans and ecological receptors are exposed to contaminants in soil or sediment. The concept of bioavailability has recently piqued the interest of the hazardous waste industry as an important consideration in deciding how much waste to clean up. The rationale is that if contaminants in soil and sediment are not bioavailable, then more contaminant mass can be left in place without creating additional risk. A new NRC report notes that the potential for the consideration of bioavailability to influence decision-making is greatest where certain chemical, environmental, and regulatory factors align. The current use of bioavailability in risk assessment and hazardous waste cleanup regulations is demystified, and acceptable tools and models for bioavailability assessment are discussed and ranked according to seven criteria. Finally, the intimate link between bioavailability and bioremediation is explored. The report concludes with suggestions for moving bioavailability forward in the regulatory arena for both soil and sediment cleanup.

This Test Guideline is designed to assess the effects of prolonged exposure to sediment-associated chemicals on the reproduction and the biomass of the endobenthic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus (Müller). The method is described for static test ...

Contaminated sediments represent an ongoing threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems. The assessment of sediment quality is, therefore, an important concern for environmental regulators. Sediment quality guidelines are now well established in regulatory frameworks worldwide; however, practical guidance that covers all of the key aspects of sediment quality assessment is not readily available. In 2005, CSIRO published its highly cited Handbook for Sediment Quality Assessment. In the ensuing period, the science has advanced considerably. This practical guide is a revised and much expanded second edition, which will be a valuable tool for environmental practitioners. Written by experts in the field, it provides coverage of: sediment sampling; sample preparation; chemical analysis; ecotoxicology; bioaccumulation; biomarkers; and ecological assessment. In addition, detailed appendices describe protocols for many of the tests to be used.

Sediment Toxicity Assessment provides the latest information regarding how to evaluate sediment contamination and its effects on aquatic ecosystems. It presents an integrated ecosystem approach by detailing effective assessment methods, considerations, and effects to each major component of marine and freshwater systems, including the benthos, plankton, and fish communities. The approaches emphasize defining habitat conditions (physical and chemical), toxicant bioavailability, factors influencing toxicity (lab and field), biomarkers, acute and chronic toxicity, study design, collection methods, and EPA management strategies. The book also explains how to integrate the assessments. Sediment Toxicity Assessment will be useful to to all environmental managers, environmental scientists, ecotoxicologists, environmental regulators, aquatic ecologists, environmental contractors and consultants, instructors, students, conservation commissions, and environmental activist organizations.