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Contaminated Sediments News

Issue 37 - May

Welcome to the Contaminated Sediments News, a monthly review of recent journal articles, issues in the press, upcoming conferences, and other news. This website replaces the Contaminated Sediments Newsletter, which was published through the summer of 2000. Items for the CS News are chosen from the results of a detailed search of a number of scientific and technical publication databases, as well as from searches of media publication databases (including newspapers and magazines).

Check back to this site frequently to see each new issue of the Contaminated Sediments News, and visit the CS News Archive to find past issues.

Contents

Note: The summaries found on this website are based on articles from the press and from peer-reviewed publications, and they represent the opinions of the original authors. The views of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government.

Summarized Journal Articles

  • Baseline incidence of mouthpart deformities in Chironomidae (Diptera) from the Laurentian Great Lakes, Canada – Larval chironomid mouthpart deformities function as indicators of anthropogenic stress. In the incidence of naturally occurring deformities, there are limited data. Environment Canada, from 1991 through 1993, collected Chironomid larvae from 252 reference sites in the Great Lakes. Overall incidence of mentum deformities was 2.27% for Procladius, 2.15% for Chironomus, 1.27% for Heterotrissocladius, 1.38% for Tanytarsus, and 3.25% for Polypedilum. One missing tooth in the mentum was the most common deformity. In the Northern Channel and Georgian Bay of Lake Huron, deformity frequency was at its highest level, but incidences were homogeneous among regions. In examining contaminated conditions, a result greater than one 95% confidence interval above the reference deformity frequencies should be considered significantly elevated from baseline levels.

    Source: Burt, J. et al.; Baseline incidence of mouthpart deformities in Chironomidae (Diptera) from the Laurentian Great Lakes, Canada; Journal of Great Lakes Research 29 (1): 172-180, 2003.

  • Toxicity of lead-contaminated sediment to mute swans – Contaminant exposure through food and water is emphasized by most ecotoxicological risk assessments of wildlife. In these assessments, the role of incidental ingestion of sediment-bound contaminants has not been adequately understood. The authors analyze the toxicological consequences of contamination of sediments with metals from hard-rock mining and smelting activities. Lead-contaminated sediments were collected from the Coeur d'Alene River Basin in Idaho. These sediments were combined with either a commercial avian maintenance diet or ground rice and fed to captive mute swans (Cygnus olor) for 6 weeks. Experimental treatments included maintenance or rice diets containing 0, 12 (no rice group), or 24% highly contaminated sediment, or 24% reference sediment. Although none of the swans died, those swans that were fed a rice diet containing 24% lead-contaminated sediment were the most severely affected, experiencing a 24% decrease in mean body weight, which included three birds that became emaciated. All birds in this treatment group had nephrosis; abnormally dark, viscous bile; and significant reductions in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations compared to their pretreatment levels. This group also had the greatest mean concentrations of lead in blood, brain, and liver. Compared to all other treatment groups, these birds also had significant increases in mean plasma alanine aminotransferase activity, cholesterol, and uric acid concentrations and decreased plasma triglyceride concentrations. After 14 days of exposure, mean protoporphyrin concentrations increased substantially, and mean 8-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity decreased by more than 95% in groups fed diets that had highly contaminated sediments. All swans fed diets that contained 24% lead-contaminated sediment had renal acid-fast intranuclear inclusion bodies, which are diagnostic of lead poisoning in waterfowl. Body weight and hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations in swans on control (no sediment) and reference (uncontaminated) sediment diets remained unchanged. In conclusion, the study found evidence that mute swans consuming environmentally relevant concentrations of Coeur d'Alene River Basin sediment developed severe sublethal lead poisoning. In addition, toxic effects were more distinct when the birds were fed lead-contaminated sediment combined with rice, which closely resembles the diet of swans in the wild.

    Source: Day, D.D. et al.; Toxicity of lead-contaminated sediment to mute swans; Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 44 (4): 510-522, 2003.

  • Growth of estuarine fish is associated with the combined concentration of sediment contaminants and shows no adaptation or acclimation to past conditions – This study analyzed if the growth rates of small benthic fish (Gillichthys mirabilis) in three southern California estuaries corresponded with the local concentrations of contaminants. In each estuary in two reciprocal transplant experiments, fish originating from each estuary were relocated to cages. The growth rates of caged fish and the size-distribution of natural populations revealed the same pattern of difference among estuaries. Occurring in bulk sediments at concentrations close to their individual ERL values were twelve metals and organic contaminants. A simple index of their combined concentration (the mean ERL quotient) was inversely associated with the growth of caged fish. Metals in the water column took place at lower concentrations than those in sediments and were unrelated to fish growth. Fish used in the field caging experiments, and other fish held in the laboratory under constant conditions, showed no difference in growth according to their estuary of origin. Also, no consistent differences in tissue burden of organic contaminants were shown in fish originating from different estuaries. Therefore, the results indicated no genetic adaptation or physiological acclimation to the past contaminant regime, but they showed a possible association between fish growth rates and the combined concentration of multiple sediment contaminants.

    Source: Forrester, G.E. et al.; Growth of estuarine fish is associated with the combined concentration of sediment contaminants and shows no adaptation or acclimation to past conditions; Marine Environmental Research 56 (3): 423-442, 2003.

  • Assessment of the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals applied to Crassostrea gigas embryos and larvae – Sediments represent a vast sink for contaminants in aquatic systems and also have the possibility of posing a threat to pelagic and benthic organisms. Using embryos and larvae of the oyster Crassostrea gigas, which were exposed to two sediment fractions: the whole sediment and the elutriate, a study was conducted to determine the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated PAHs and heavy metals. The percentages of abnormal larvae, the contaminant accumulation, and the induction of metallothionein in the larvae were analyzed. As indicated by accumulation in C. gigas larvae and by the abnormalities induced during larval development, sediment-associated PAHs and heavy metals were available for exposure. Abnormalities were observed above the critical body burden of PAHs in the larvae of 0.3 µ, which relates to concentrations observed for most vertebrate and invertebrate species. The solubility of PAHs determines its bioavailability. The embryos accumulate only the soluble fraction of PAHs. The bioavailability of metals for the larvae is substantiated by MT induction, correlated with cytosolic metal concentrations. In evaluating environmental contamination by metals, MT induction provided a better early-warning response than the embryotoxicity test currently used. In conclusion, the authors suggest choosing oyster embryos as a particularly sensitive tool for evaluating sediment quality.

    Source: Geffard, O. et al.; Assessment of the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals applied to Crassostrea gigas embryos and larvae; Marine Pollution Bulletin 46 (4): 481-490, 2003.

  • Modelling metal desorption kinetics in estuaries – Using riverine and estuarine sediments, the kinetics of desorption of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn have been determined in deionised water and seawater. The time-dependent release of Cd, Cu and Ni from riverine sediments in both media revealed an increase in dissolved metal concentrations within a few minutes, followed by a plateau after several hours of incubation. A maximum dissolved concentration occurred after several minutes, characterizing the desorption of Zn from riverine sediments in seawater, which was followed by readsorption onto the suspended sediment. In both deionised water and seawater, the extent of metal desorption from estuarine sediment was less than that from the fluvial sediments, even though the available particulate metal concentrations were higher. By using a mechanism consisting of reversible, first-order consecutive reactions, the desorption kinetics of the metals were modeled. The dissolved metals were assumed to desorb into the bulk solution from exchangeable surface sites and from binding sites located within the particle matrix. By integrating the differential equations resulting from the mechanism, a reasonable fit to the observed time-dependent desorption behavior was simulated, assuming that the exchangeable particulate metal was defined by the chemical digest. The study and its results are analyzed within the context of improved understanding of the non-conservative behavior of dissolved metals in estuaries.

    Source: Millward, G.E., and Y.P. Liu; Modelling metal desorption kinetics in estuaries; The Science of the Total Environment, In Press.

  • A simplified dehydrogenase enzyme assay in contaminated sediment using 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride – This study analyzed how 2-(p-Iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT) accepts electrons from dehydrogenase enzymes and is reduced to a red-colored formazan (INTF), which can be quantified by colorimetric analysis. Due to background chemical reactions from high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals in the sediments, use of previously published methods for this technique was unsuccessful. A modified method using acetonitrile extraction of the INTF, which is simple, quick, inexpensive, and precise, was efficient and did not chemically reduce INT.

    Source: Mosher, J.J. et al.; A simplified dehydrogenase enzyme assay in contaminated sediment using 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride; Journal of Microbiological Methods 53 (3): 411-415, 2003.

  • Survival tests with Chironomus riparius exposed to spiked sediments can profit from DEBtox model – DEBtox model is a biologically based model that examines aquatic toxicity data. The model has not yet been used to analyze sediment survival tests because this would require daily counting of survivors, which is difficult for benthic organisms. The authors adapted survival toxicity tests with the midge Chironomus riparius to permit survival data analysis with DEBtox. Organisms were exposed to two chemicals, copper and methiocarb, in order to validate the adaptation proposed. In the study, larvae of second, third and fourth instar were exposed to different concentrations of the tested compounds and two different diets to assess the influence of diet and instar on DEBtox parameter estimates. When compared to usual tests, daily counting of organisms did not affect survival and did not lead to much more effort, and the analysis profited from the use of the DEBtox model. With only survival data to estimate and validate the kinetics of the compounds, it was possible to predict survival during the recovery of exposed organisms, as well as to assess the influence of food availability on toxicity. Food availability did not affect methiocarb toxicity, but copper was more toxic to food-limited organisms when a threshold concentration was exceeded. The variations in toxicity responses between instars had increased understanding with the comparison of parameters estimate. For the two compounds studied, the differences in threshold values explained the variation.

    Source: Pery, A.R.R. et al.; Survival tests with Chironomus riparius exposed to spiked sediments can profit from DEBtox model; Water Research, 37(11): 2691-2699, 2003.

  • Distribution of heavy metals in sediment pore water due to offshore discharges: an ecological risk assessment – In order to maintain bore hold pressure during offshore oil drilling operations, barite is used as a weighting agent in synthetic and oil based drilling fluids (SBFs and OBFs). The risk of ecological impacts has been reduced by the substitution of OBFs by SBFs. Barite is composed of approximately 33% by weight of an SBF and contains traces of heavy metals, which contributes drastically to the toxicity of drilling waste. Due to the hydrophobic nature of SBFs, drilling wastes are not dispersive in the water column. Three important toxic heavy metals found in the drilling waste include arsenic, copper, and lead. In order to determine the concentrations of heavy metals, a steady state aquivalence-based fate model in a probabilistic mode is used. Monte Carlo simulations using Latin Hypercube Sampling are employed to determine pore water concentrations at known pollutant loading rates and impact area conditions. This study analyzes a hypothetical case study to evaluate the water quality impacts for 4 and 10% attached SBFs that correspond to proposed best available technology (BAT) option and current discharge practice in U.S. offshore. The exposure concentration (CE) is a predicted environmental concentration (PEC), which is adjusted for exposure probability (p) and bioavailable fraction of heavy metals. The probabilistic response of an ecosystem is the development of an empirical distribution function (EDF) of predicted-no-effect-concentration derived from LC50 and NOEC data.

    Source: Sadiq, R. et al.; Distribution of heavy metals in sediment pore water due to offshore discharges: an ecological risk assessment; Environmental Modelling & Software 18 (5): 451-461, 2003.

  • Toxicokinetics of sediment-sorbed benzo[a]pyrene and hexachlorobiphenyl using the freshwater invertebrates Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, and Lumbriculus variegatus – Using three freshwater benthic invertebrates, this study examined the effect of long-term sediment aging on the toxicokinetics of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP). Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, and Lumbriculus variegatus were exposed to BaP- and HCBP-spiked sediments that were aged for 7 d or 1.5 years. A two-compartment model was used for each test organism in order to determine the toxicokinetics of the two compounds. The modeling of BaP was more complex because biotransformation was included within the model. The authors found that HCBP uptake clearance rates (k(s)) for each species were generally an order of magnitude greater than those determined for BaP, and this variation was most likely due to preferential and rapid binding of BaP to sediment particles. Overall, based on k(s) values and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs), the bioavailability of HCBP in spiked sediments tended to decrease with duration of aging, but the decreases in bioavailability appear to be species specific. (Benzo[a]pyrene did not decline in bioavailability for the species tested because it may resist movement into the micropores of the sediment due to its large size.) In addition to the bioassays, this article describes a method for toxicokinetic modeling of biotransformed compounds and methods for statistical comparisons of kinetic parameters and BAF values.

    Source: Schuler, L.J. et al.; Toxicokinetics of sediment-sorbed benzo[a]pyrene and hexachlorobiphenyl using the freshwater invertebrates Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, and Lumbriculus variegatus; Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 22 (2): 439-449, 2003.

  • A toxicity identification evaluation of silty marine harbor sediments to characterize persistent and non-persistent constituents – Ammonia or sulfide frequently dominates sediment toxicity in silty marine harbor sediments, which leaves the adverse impacts of persistent toxic substances unnoticed. To investigate the latter, the authors subjected interstitial water from three contaminated silty sediments to toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) phase I manipulations and tested for toxicity with four bioassays: the amphipod Corophium volutator, the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris, and the bacterium Vibrio fischeri. The graduated pH manipulations identified the prominent toxicity of ammonia in the amphipod and sea urchin embryo tests, as well as sulfide toxicity in the bacterium test. In two of the three samples tested with the amphipods, sea urchin embryos and bacteria, a small but significant reduction in interstitial water toxicity was achieved by removing persistent compounds through C(18) solid phase extraction. EDTA chelation resulted in a slight detoxification of the interstitial water for the amphipods and sea urchin embryos, which was not related to any measured trace metals. Despite the presence of toxic levels of ammonia and sulfide in the harbor sediments, through the TIE manipulations and in vivo interstitial water bioassays, this study established the adverse biological effects of persistent constituents.

    Source: Stronkhorst, J. et al.; A toxicity identification evaluation of silty marine harbor sediments to characterize persistent and non-persistent constituents; Marine Pollution Bulletin 46 (1): 56-64, 2003.

  • Studies on bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments: bioavailability, biodegradability, and toxicity issues – Cost-effective bioremediation processes are needed for the widespread contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study analyzed a chronically PAH-contaminated estuarine sediment from the East River (ER) characterized by high concentrations of PAHs, sulfide, and metals and a marine sediment from New York/ New Jersey Harbor (NY/NJH) with only trace quantities of PAHs. The authors examined the relationship between bioavailability of PAHs and their biological removal in a stuffy system. Freshwater and marine sediment toxicity tests were conducted to measure baseline toxicity of both sediments to amphipods, aquatic worms, fathead and sheepshead minnow larvae, and a vascular plant; to determine the cause of toxicity; and to evaluate the effectiveness of the biotreatment strategies in reducing toxicity. Results revealed that the ER sediment was acutely toxic to all freshwater and marine organisms tested and that sulfide, PAHs, and metals present in the sediment caused the toxicity. The majority of PAH compounds showed significant degradation in the aerobic sediment/water slurry system if the initial high oxygen demand due to the high sulfide content of the sediment was overcome, regardless of the high toxicity. Biodegradation removal of PAHs was closely related to their desorbed amount in 90% isopropanol solution during 24 h of contact, while the desorption of model PAH compounds from freshly spiked NY/NJH sediment did not describe the bioavailability of PAHs in the East River sediment well. This study improves how to understand bioavailability as a controlling factor in bioremediation of PAHs, as well as the potential of aerobic biodegradation for PAH removal and ecotoxicity reduction.

    Source: Tabak, H.H. et al.; Studies on bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments: bioavailability, biodegradability, and toxicity issues; Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 22 (3): 473-482, 2003.

  • Bioavailability of pyrene to the deposit-feeding polychaete Arenicola marina: importance of sediment versus water uptake routes – Using pyrene concentrations between 0 and 10 ppm, the bioavailability of the PAH model compound pyrene to the deposit-feeding polychaete Arenicola marina was analyzed. Through manipulation of the sediment organic content, different distributions of pyrene between particle-associated pyrene, pyrene bound to dissolved organic matter (DOM), and freely dissolved pyrene were obtained at the same pyrene concentration in bulk sediment. In the study, organic matter influenced the partitioning of pyrene in the sediment matrix. Due to an increased DOM concentration, the concentration of dissolved pyrene in porewater and overlying water was higher in sediment with a high organic content. In contrast, the concentration of freely dissolved pyrene was, as predicted, higher in sediment with low organic content. Particle-associated pyrene is bioavailable, and ingestion is a significant uptake route, indicated through the successful correlation of bioaccumulation of pyrene with the amount of pyrene passing through the gut. Body burden was correlated neither with total dissolved pyrene nor with freely dissolved pyrene, leading to the rejection of the hypothesis that pyrene uptake is due to simple diffusion processes from water to sediment. In conclusion, there was no observation of a relationship between bioaccumulation and dissolved pyrene passing through the gills via irrigation. Bioconcentration factors relative to sediment and water declined with increasing external pyrene concentrations, enhancing the likelihood of sediment toxicity being underestimated when using these factors in risk assessment.

    Source: Timmermann, K., and O. Andersen; Bioavailability of pyrene to the deposit-feeding polychaete Arenicola marina: importance of sediment versus water uptake routes; Marine Ecology-Progress Series 26: 163-172, 2003.

  • Evaluating prey capture by larval mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) as a potential biomarker for contaminants – By examining feeding behavior of larval mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) from many different sites, which included a severely contaminated "Superfund" site, moderately contaminated sites, and reference areas, this study analyzed larval prey capture as a "behavioral biomarker" of contamination. Prey capture ability was associated with sediment contaminant levels. The levels of contaminants at a site were highly correlated with each other, so that the impact of individual contaminants was confounded. The number of captures of brine shrimp by mummichog larvae from all sites was highly variable. Many negative correlations of prey capture, however, were seen with mercury, lead, zinc, cadmium, and PCBs. As observed previously with adults, PAHs did not seem to impair prey capture ability. The most contaminated Superfund site, Barry's Creek, NJ, was the only site that prey capture rates of 8-day old larvae were severely impacted. This result indicates that larval prey capture is not as sensitive a behavioral biomarker for contamination as adult behavior studied previously.

    Source: Weis, J.S. et al.; Evaluating prey capture by larval mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) as a potential biomarker for contaminants; Marine Environmental Research 55 (1): 27-38, 2003.

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Other Journal Titles of Interest

  • Porewater chemistry: effects of sampling, storage, handling, and toxicity testing. Adams, R.J., R.M. Burgess, G. Gold-Bouchot, L. LeBlanc, K. Liber, and B. Williamson. Porewater Toxicity Testing: Biological, Chemical, and Ecological Considerations, R.S. Carr and M. Nipper (Eds.), SETAC, 2003.

  • A 40+ year record of Cd, Hg, Pb, and U deposition in sediments of Patroon Reservoir, Albany County, NY, USA. Arnason, J.G., and B.A. Fletcher. Environmental Pollution 123 (3): 383-391, 2003.

  • Cyst-based toxicity tests XVI--sensitivity comparison of the solid phase Heterocypris incongruens microbiotest with the Hyalella azteca and Chironomus riparius contact assays on freshwater sediments from Peninsula Harbor (Ontario, Canada). Belgis, Z.C., G. Persoone, and C. Blaise. Chemosphere 52 (1): 95-101, 2003.

  • Proceedings of the Sixth International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium. Leeson, A., and V. Magar (eds.). Journal of Hazardous Materials 96 (2-3): 341, 2003.

  • Waterborne and sediment toxicity of fluoxetine to select organisms. Brooks, B.W., P.K. Turner, J.K. Stanley, J.J. Weston, E.A. Glidewell, C.M. Foran, M. Slattery, T.W. LaPoint, and D.B. Huggett. Chemosphere 52 (1): 153-142, 2003.

  • Geochemistry of PAHs in aquatic environments: a synthesis of source, distribution, and persistence. Burgess, R.M., M.J. Ahrens, and C.W. Hickey. PAHs: An Ecotoxicological Perspective (P.E.T. Douben, ed.), In Press, 2003.

  • Proposed development of Sediment Quality Guidelines under the European Water Framework Directive: a critique. Crane, M. Toxicology Letters 142 (3): 195-206, 2003.

  • Evaluation of neutral red retention assay, micronucleus test, acetylcholinesterase activity and a signal transduction molecule (cAMP) in tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis (L.), in pollution monitoring. Dailianis, S., G.P. Domouhtsidou, E. Raftopoulou, M. Kaloyianni, and V.K. Dimitriadis. Marine Environmental Research, In Press, 2003.

  • A survey of dioxin and furan compounds in sediments of Florida Panhandle Bay systems. Hemming, J.M., M.S. Brim, and R.B. Jarvis. Marine Pollution Bulletin 46 (4): 512-521, 2003.

  • Degradation rates of low molecular weight PAH correlate with sediment TOC in marine subtidal sediments. Hinga, K.R. Marine Pollution Bulletin 46 (4): 466-474, 2003.

  • Responses in sediment bioassays used in the Netherlands: can observed toxicity be explained by routinely monitored priority pollutants? Lahr, J., J.L. Maas-Diepeveen, S.C. Stuijfzand, P.E.G. Leonards, J.M. Druke, S. Lucker, A. Espeldoorn, L.C.M. Kerkum, L.L.P. van Stee, and A.J. Hendriks. Water Research 37 (8): 1691-1710, 2003.

  • Recolonization and succession of subtidal macrobenthic infauna in sediments contaminated with cadmium. Lu, L., and R.S.S. Wu. Environmental Pollution 121 (1): 27-38, 2003.

  • Bioaccumulation and toxicity of sediment associated herbicides (ioxynil, pendimethalin, and bentazone) in Lumbriculus varietagus (Oligochaeta) and Chironomus riparius (Insecta). Maenpaa, K.A., A.J. Sormunen, and J.V.K. Kukkonen. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, In Press.

  • Toxicity of aqueous and sediment-associated fluoride to freshwater organisms. Metcalfe-Smith, J.L., K.E. Holtze, G.R. Sirota, J.J. Reid, and S.R. de Solla. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry/SETAC 22 (1): 161-166, 2003.

  • Redissolution and long-term transport of radionuclides released from a contaminated sediment: a numerical modelling study. Perianez, R. Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science 56 (1): 5-14, 2003.

  • An automated overlying water-renewal system for sediment toxicity studies. Rand, G.M., J.V. Wheat, J.F. Carriger, and T.A. Lee. Enviromental Pollution 122 (2): 169-175, 2003.

  • Studies on the sorption behaviors of nitrobenzene on marine sediments. Zhao, X.K., G.P. Yang, and X.C. Gao. Chemosphere, 52(5): 917-925, 2003.

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Upcoming Events and Conferences

  •  
  • Coastal Structures Conference, Portland, Oregon. A Coastal Structures Conference will take place August 26-29 at Embassy Suites, Portland, Oregon. Topics to be addressed will include: functional and structural design; rubble mound breakwaters, revetments, jetties; shore protection structures; caisson breakwaters; innovative structures; wave-structure interaction; physical modeling; geotechnical design and performance; and many other subjects, including dredge disposal caps/environmental containment. For more information, contact the American Society of Civil Engineers, World Headquarters, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-4400. Phone: 800-548-2723 or 703-295-6300, or visit http://www.asce.org/conferences/coastal2003/index.cfm. exit EPA

  • Second International Conference on the Remediation of Contaminated Sediments - The Second International Sediment Remediation Conference will be held in September 30th through October 3rd in Venice, Italy. Organizers say the city is an ideal setting for a conference on this topic because of the sediments remediation efforts being exerted there by the local, regional, and national governments. For more information, contact the Conference Group at 800-783-6338 (U.S. and Canada) or 614-488-2030; e-mail: info@confgroupinc.com; or visit the Sediment Remediation Conference website. exit EPA

  • Contaminated Soils, Sediments, and Water. The conference is from October 20-23 in Amherst, MA. For more information, contact Denise Leonard at 413-545-1239 or info@UMassSoils.com. Web site: www.umasssoils.com.exit EPA

  • SETAC 24th Annual Meeting: Science Without Borders: Developing Solutions for Global Environmental Challenges. This meeting takes place November 8-13 in Austin, TX. This conference supports efforts scientists and engineers to work together to develop solutions to global problems. Topics including the factors influencing bioavailability and sediment chemistry will be addressed. For more information, contact SETAC North America, 1010 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32501. Phone: 850-469-1500; web site: http://setac.org/austin.html.exit EPA

  • Specialist Dredging Techniques, Inspiring Dredging Solutions. This conference occurs November 20-21 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The Central Dredging Association has programmed this conference to present a state of the art review of specialized dredging techniques and innovative approaches to individual dredging operations. The conference addresses techniques for core business but also from the so-called niche applications. The aim is to discuss and share ideas and to initiate the exchange of experience and technology. For more information, visit http://www.dredging.org exit EPA and click on the Dredging Days 2003 link.

  • Watersheds 2004. This conference takes place July 11-14, 2004 in Dearborn, Michigan. For more information contact Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994. Phone: 703-684-2400 x7010; fax: 703-684-2413; e-mail: watershed 04@wef.org.

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Websites of Interest

    Enviro-Access Technology Fact Sheets. Enviro-Access, a network of people working in industry, has several fact sheets available through their web site. There is a section dealing with technology related to site decontamination and restoration. http://www.enviroaccess.ca/eng/faxsheet.html#decontamination exit EPA

    The U.S. Navy Web Page on Environmental Restoration and BRAC. This site offers information on innovative environmental cleanup technologies and approaches. Under the focus areas link this site provides links to reports, guidance documents, and web sites related to contaminated sediment. http://enviro.nfesc.navy.mil/erb exit EPA

    NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory's Aquatic Contaminants Research Program. The research program combines process studies and mathematical modeling focused on toxic organic contaminants to increase our understanding of the dynamics and effects of pollutants in the ecosystem. The web site provides information on current research projects. http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/aqmain.html exit EPA

    Army Corps of Engineers Center for Contaminated Sediments. The Center coordinates and facilitates contaminated sediment activities among Corps organizations, the Department of Defense, other federal and state agencies, academia, and the private sector. http://www.wes.army.mil/el/dots/ccs/index.html exit EPA

    Army Corps of Engineers Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory. The web site provides links to a variety of tools helpful for contaminated sediment cleanup, including software, data, training, and publications. http://chl.wes.army.mil exit EPA

    The Sediment Management Work Group. The group works to advance risk-based, scientifically-sound approaches for evaluation of sediment management decisions. The web site has information on projects currently being undertaken by the group including a national education program and a national technology transfer program. The site also has links to several published research papers. http://www.smwg.org exit EPA

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