Contaminated Sediment News

Issue 35 - March 2003

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 quarterly 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.

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

• Assessment of the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals applied to Crassostrea gigas embryos and larvae – Sediments may threaten pelagic and benthic organisms because many sediments in aquatic systems are a sink to a variety of contaminants. Researchers used oyster (Crassostrea gigas) embryos and larvae to evaluate the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated PAHs and heavy metals. The oyster embryos and larvae were exposed to two sediment fractions, whole sediment and elutriate, of the contaminants. Three endpoints were examined: percentages of abnormal larvae, the contaminant accumulation, and the metallothionein (MT) induction in the larvae. The C. gigas larvae were exposed to sediment-associated PAHs and heavy metals and were shown to accumulate the contaminants and develop abnormalities during larval development. The critical body burden of PAHs in the larvae was 0.3 µg/L, above which abnormalities were seen. This value corresponds to concentrations observed for most vertebrate and invertebrate species. The solubility of the PAHs establishes its bioavailability; only the soluble fraction of PAHs is accumulated by the embryos. MT induction substantiates the bioavailability of metals for the larvae, which correlates with cytosolic metal concentrations. MT induction was found to be a better early-warning response for environmental metals contamination than the currently used embryotoxicity test. In conclusion, the research suggests oyster embryos are a sensitive tool for assessing sediment quality when PAHs or metals are suspected contaminants.

  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, In Press, Available online 25 February 2003.

• Degradation rates of low molecular weight PAH correlate with sediment TOC in marine subtidal sediments – Total organic carbon (TOC) was found to be a good indicator for the degradation rate of low molecular weight (LMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in subtidal marine sediments. Two monitoring stations were sampled two or more times after the North Cape No. 2 fuel oil spill, and the data show good correlation of LMW PAH degradation with sediment total organic carbon (TOC). At the time of the second sampling (2.5-5 months after the first sampling), stations with lower sediment TOC had lower fractions of LMW PAH remaining. Stations with a range of TOC from 0.4% to 7.3% had order of magnitude differences in the apparent first-order degradation rate constants calculated for each station. In order to provide improved and site-specific predictions of the initial time-course of LMW PAH concentrations in sediments after oil spills, the relationship between degradation rate and sediment TOC can be used.

  Source: Hinga, K.R. et al.; Degradation rates of low molecular weight PAH correlate with sediment TOC in marine subtidal sediments; Biomarkers, In Press, Available online 28 February 2003.

• Effect of non-aqueous phase liquid on biodegradation of PAHs in spilled oil on tidal flat – Biodegradation rates of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in spilled oil stranded on tidal flats were examined using model reactors. This study attempted to clarify the impacts of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) on the biodegradation of PAHs with special emphasis on the relationship between dissolution rates of PAHs into water and viscosity of NAPL; dissolution rates of PAHs into water limit the biodegradation of PAHs in NAPL. The biodegradation rate of chrysene, which has a lower dissolution rate, was smaller than that of acenaphtene and phenanthrene. Dissolution rates of PAHs in higher viscosity fuel oil C were lower than those in crude oil. Hence, biodegradation rates of PAHs in fuel oil C were smaller than those in crude oil. Biodegradation rates of PAHs in NAPL with slower rates of decrease were found to be slower than those in NAPL with rapid rates of decrease. The higher viscosity of fuel oil C caused a smaller rate of decrease of fuel oil C than that of crude oil. Therefore, significant factors for the biodegradation of PAHs included the dissolution rate of PAHs and the rates of decrease of NAPL.

  Source: Kose, T. et al.;Effect of non-aqueous phase liquid on biodegradation of PAHs in spilled oil on tidal flat; Water Research, In Press, Available online 4 March 2003.

• Sample preparation and chromatographic analysis of acidic herbicides in soils and sediments – In this study, the sample preparation of soil and sediment samples for the chromatographic determination of acidic herbicides of phenolic and carboxylic acid classes is evaluated. The discussion included the common methods of enriching acidic herbicides and isolating them from soils and sediments. These methods consisted primarily of supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized solvent extraction, subcritical water extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and traditional extraction with organic solvents and aqueous basic solutions. Descriptions of the derivatization to make herbicides analyzable by means of gas chromatography and/or to improve detectability by GC and LC, as well as extraction efficiency, were also explained.

  Source: Macutkiewicz, E. et al.; Sample preparation and chromatographic analysis of acidic herbicides in soils and sediments; Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry 33 (1): 1-17, 2003.

• A review of environmental toxicant analysis by using multidimensional gas chromatography and comprehensive GC– This study highlights the developments in coupled-column gas chromatography (GC x GC) methods for qualitative analysis of selected environmental toxicants, such as dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), etc. This paper presents the new technique of GC x GC and discusses its role and promise to the field of analytical chemistry. In addition to describing this new technique, the benefits of enhanced separation to quantitative analysis are presented. Accurate risk assessments require both the dose and biological impacts of environmental toxicants to be established with a high degree of certainty. This is most often accomplished when using chromatographic methods. Because of the complexity of most environmental sample extracts, single-column gas chromatography is incapable of completely determining all the components of interest, which often leads to a positive bias in the reported concentrations. Advanced separation tools, such as multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC), were examined initially and showed improvements in separation. Limitations in techniques, such as MDGC in the number of target analytes that could be analyzed in a single run, as well as insufficient method robustness, led to a continued interest in alternative solutions. The parallel development of mass spectrometric identification and quantification strategies proved useful in many cases, although this development repeatedly failed to provide positive identification of chromatographically unresolved isomeric compounds. Lately, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) may present a solution to that problem, especially because it offers enhanced resolution for complex mixtures containing trace level environmental toxicants.

  Source: Marriott, P. et al.;A review of environmental toxicant analysis by using multidimensional gas chromatography and comprehensive GC; Clinica Chimica Acta 328 (1-2): 1-19, 2003.

• Morphological abnormalities in Chironomus tentans exposed to cadmium--and copper-spiked sediments – This study analyzed the induction of mouthpart deformities and the developmental response with exposure to sediments spiked with three concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and three concentrations of copper (Cu). The differences between metal-spiked and control populations, as well as parent and offspring (F1) populations, were used to compare mouthpart deformity proportions in Chironomus tentans larvae. Control (3%) sediments had considerably lower proportions of deformities than Cd- and Cu-treated sediments induced deformities (low Cd=13%, medium Cd=7%, high Cd=4%, low Cu=6%, medium Cu=9%, high Cu=6%). No negative developmental response was determined. Metal-treated aquaria and control aquaria did not have any considerable changes in larval size. F1 larvae from parents reared in medium and high Cu had much lower deformity rates than their parents. This study found further evidence to support the theory that heavy metals in general, but Cd and Cu specifically, are teratogenic agents.

  Source: Martinez, E. et al.; Morphological abnormalities in Chironomus tentans exposed to cadmium--and copper-spiked sediments; Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, In Press, Available online 18 March 2003.

• Evaluation of 4-nonylphenol toxicity in the clam Tapes philippinarum – Using the clam Tapes philippinarum from the Lagoon of Venice, lethal and sublethal effects of 4-nonylphenol (NP) were examined. In a 96-h lethality test, bivalves were exposed to the following NP concentrations: 0, 0+acetone, 0.19, 0.38, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 NP/L. The 96-h LC50 value was 1.12 NP/L. No mortality was detected at 0.19 NP/L. At 1.5 and 3.0 mg NP/L. Both the siphons and foot of the test clams were often cut-off during shell closure; the animals were incapable of withdrawing the siphons and feet before shell closure. This indicates the possibility of a narcotic effect of NP on the clams. Sublethal NP effects on clearance rate (CR), respiration rate (RR), scope for growth (SFG), and survival in air were analyzed by using lower concentrations of NP. Decreased RRs were observed at all NP concentrations tested after a 7-day exposure. The only significant decreases in the CR and SFG were monitored at the two highest NP concentrations, with SFG reductions reaching 54% and 71%, respectively. At the highest concentrations tested, the resistance of clams to air exposure decreased considerably and increased the mortality rate. The potential risk (from exposure to NP) to clam populations in estuarine areas was emphasized by the authors because the lowest effective NP concentrations are similar to environmentally realistic levels.

  Source: Matozzo, V. et al.; Evaluation of 4-nonylphenol toxicity in the clam Tapes philippinarum; Environmental Research 91 (3): 179-185, 2003.

• Reactive transport in surface sediments. II. Media: an object-oriented problem-solving environment for early diagenesis – A flexible and extensible software system, the MEDIA (Modelling Early DIAgenesis) software package, offers problem-solving assistance for simulating one dimensional reactive transport in surface sediments. With the extension of a model template with new model components from a toolbox of available objects (elements, species, paramenters, reactions), MEDIA constructs multiple diagenetic models. This paper provides a detailed review of the transport and reaction components available for model construction in MEDIA. After a user fully constructs the components for an application, the model is directed to the numerical subunit of the MEDIA package. The user-defined mixed kinetic-equilibrium model is reorganized through a canonical transformation into a proper set of differential algebraic equations (DAE), for which both steady state and transient solutions can be determined. Using either a Newton-Raphson method or the asymptotic result of a dynamic simulation, steady-state profiles are attained. Dynamic simulations involve a global implicit procedure based on the stiff-ODE solver package VODE by using a direct substitution approach in order to reduce the number of equations in the DAE system. In order to verify that the MEDIA code was completed, two methods were employed. These included (1) comparison of analytic models, and (2) imitation of model formulation and output of the existing diagenetic model code STEADYSED. As an example application, a diagenetic model was created as a way of examining an extensive dataset collected from a marine sediment in the Santa Barbara Basin (California). The different pathways of organic matter mineralization were developed into models, while the coupling among the biogeochemical cycles of C, O, N, S, Mn and Fe was analyzed. Depth profiles of both porewater and solid-phase constituents could be reproduced with great accuracy.

  Source: Meysman, F. et al.; Reactive transport in surface sediments. II. Media: an object-oriented problem-solving environment for early diagenesis; Computers & Geosciences, In Press, Available online 18 March 2003.

• Diagenetic mobility of trace elements in sediments covered by a flash flood deposit: Mn, Fe and As – The vertical distribution and concentrations of Fe, Mn, and As were measured using a combination of porewater, sediment, and box core samples taken each year since the 1996 flood along the main axis of the Saguenay Fjord and Baie des Ha! Ha!. Through time-series analyses, the accumulation of the flood deposit did not significantly impact Mn remobilization. Reductions of the measured metals found in the samples included authigenic Mn oxi-hydroxides present at the original sediment-water interface and in the flood material. Additionally, a majority of the Mn(II) diffused to the current interface, where it was oxidized and precipitated. By fitting the time-series data to a diagenetic model, first-order rate constants for the reduction and precipitation of the authigenic Mn oxi-hydroxides were approximated. An upper limit to the biodiffusion coefficient, DB, was assessed based on these rate constants and given that the maximum reactive solid Mn remains concentrated in the thin, oxic layer near the sediment-water interface. In contrast to Mn, Fe associated with the authigenic oxi-hydroxides at the original interface was mostly trapped as acid volatile sulfides under the SO4-reducing conditions established rapidly after the flood. Limiting the diffusion of through the flood deposit was the trapping of As, authigenic sulfides, and authigenic oxi-hydroxides at the original interface.

  Source: Mucci, A. et al.; Diagenetic mobility of trace elements in sediments covered by a flash flood deposit: Mn, Fe and As; Applied Geochemistry 18 (7): 1011-1026, 2003.

• Establishing the Causal Relationship between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Exposure and Hepatic Neoplasms and Neoplasia-Related Liver Lesions in English Sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) – Bioturbation, at all scales, is now acknowledged as a major player in facies interpretation. This process, bioturbation, replaces the primary fabric of a sediment with the ichnofabric, which is the overall fabric of a sediment that has been bioturbated. The factors and processes that establish the nature of the ichnofabric include the many ways that the substrate is tiered by bioturbators, the manner in which the substrate can be colonized, and the physical, chemical, and ecological controls (grainsize, sedimentation rate, oxygenation, nutrition, salinity, ethology, community structure and succession). There are 11 main styles of substrate tiering explained, ranging from single, pioneer colonization to complex tiering under equilibria. Four attributes that can be used to analyze ichnofabrics include: primary sedimentation factors, Bioturbation Index (BI), burrow size and frequency, and ichnological diversity. Visualization and comparison are helped by construction of tier and ichnofabric constituent diagrams. The surfaces are emphasized by breaks or changes in colonization and style of tiering at key stratal surfaces. Changes in hydrodynamic regime (leading to non-deposition and/or erosion and/or lithification), changes in salinity regime, or subaerial exposure show changes in a major environmental shift of the trace-forming biota. Changes in environmental patterns can be analyzed as the succession of gradational or abrupt changes in ichnofabric through genetically related successions, along with changes in colonization and tiering across event beds. The environmental conditions determine the overall style of colonization, not the ichnotaxa, in discriminating between ichnofabrics. Those fabrics composed of similar tier structure and ichnoguild, but different ichnotaxa (and different taphonomies), may develop in similar environments of different ages or latitudes. Ancient ichnofabrics can be placed on a sound process-related basis for environmental interpretation with the use of appreciation of colonization and tiering styles.

  Source: Myers, M. et al.; Establishing the Causal Relationship between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Exposure and Hepatic Neoplasms and Neoplasia-Related Liver Lesions in English Sole (Pleuronectes vetulus); Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 9 (1): 67-94, 2003.

• Applications of petroleum fingerprinting in known and suspected pipeline releases--two case studies – The utility of detailed petroleum fingerprinting in analyzing known or suspected pipeline releases is demonstrated in two small but practical case studies. These two cases are comprised of: (1) a known release of automotive gasoline from a product pipeline, which was accompanied by an intense fire, which prompted an investigation to determine the source of a peculiar, non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) discovered beneath the affected area during the accident's clean-up, and (2) a former trunk line pipeline from an oil field, which was suspected as the source of a recently discovered NAPL. Each case study presents the known facts, analytical strategy, petroleum fingerprinting data and results. In conclusion, the case studies emphasize the function of detailed petroleum fingerprinting of the diagnostic (1) volatile hydrocarbons comprising gasoline(s), and (2) non-volatile hydrocarbons, including petroleum biomarkers and an extended suite of parent and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, found in crude oil(s) (and other heavy petroleum products).
  
  Source: Stout, S.A.; Applications of petroleum fingerprinting in known and suspected pipeline releases--two case studies; Applied Geochemistry 18 (6): 915-926, 2003.
  
  
• Environmental impact and recovery at two dumping sites for dredged material in the North Sea – In North Sea dumping sites, a study was conducted that analyzed the environmental affect and recovery associated with the long and uninterrupted disposal of large volumes of moderately contaminated dredged material from the port of Rotterdam. Immediately after dumping at the 'North' site had ceased and at the start of disposal at the new dumping site 'Northwest,' changes in sediment contamination, ecotoxicity, biomarker responses and benthic community were observed. Few benthic invertebrates were found at the North site during the period of dumping. Concentrations of cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and tributyltin (TBT) in the fine sediment fraction (pyloric caeca) of resident starfish Asterias rubens, residual levels of mercury, zinc, PCBs and dioxin-like activity were never more than twice those at the reference site. No significant variations were found between North and the reference site in the four different biomarkers (DNA integrity, cytochrome P450 content, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition) used on the starfish tissues. In resident dab Limanda limanda, minor pathological effects were observed. A significant increase in the species richness and abundance of benthic invertebrates, as well as a concomitant decrease in the fine sediment fraction of the seabed, were seen one year after dumping had ceased at the North site. After 8.2 million m3 of moderately contaminated dredged material had been dumped at the new dumping site Northwest, the species richness and abundance of benthic invertebrates declined over an area extending about 1-2 km eastwards, which correlated with a shift in sediment texture from sand to silt. At the Northwest location, the contamination of the fine sediment fraction doubled. This study concluded that marine benthic resources at and around the dumping sites have been adversely impacted by physical disturbance (burial, smothering). However, no causal link could be established with sediment-associated contaminants from the dredged soils.
  
  Source: Stronkhorst, J. et al.; Environmental impact and recovery at two dumping sites for dredged material in the North Sea; Environmental Pollution 124 (1): 17-31, July 2003.
  
  
• Slow and very slow desorption of organic compounds from sediment: influence of sorbate planarity –Using Tenax beads as an infinite sink for sorbates, the kinetics of desorption of in situ chlorobenzenes, PAHs, and PCBs from four different sediments was analyzed. Rate constants for slow desorption were 2.9+/-0.4 x 10-2h-1, irrespective of the extent of sorbate planarity. Rate constants for very slow desorption were 2.1+/-0.5 x 10-4 and 6.7+/-1.4 x 10-4h-1 for planar and non-planar compounds, respectively. Comparison with literature data indicates a priori estimates for rate constants for slow desorption to be 3 x 10-2h-1, and to be 2 x 10-4 and 7 x 10-4h-1 for very slow desorption of planar and non-planar compounds, respectively.For planar compounds, the ratio between the fractions in the very slowly desorbing domain and the rapidly desorbing domain was 15-38. For non-planar compounds, which was much lower, the ratio was 2.8-5.2.The ratio between the fractions in the slowly desorbing domain and the rapidly desorbing domain was 1.3-1.8, and independent of the sorbate planarity. Variations in environments for the slowly and the very slowly desorbing fractions affected the differing influences of sorbate planarity on the very slowly desorbing domain as compared to the slowly desorbing domain.
  
  Source: van Noort, P.C.M. et al.; Slow and very slow desorption of organic compounds from sediment: influence of sorbate planarity; Water Research, In Press, Available online 13 March 2003.
  
  
• Metal distribution during diagenesis in the contaminated sediments of Dulas Bay, Anglesey, N. Wales, UK – Application of the Tessier sequential extraction procedure to discrete layers from nine sediment cores in Dulas Bay, Anglesey is the focus of this paper. Results provide data on the chemical relationships of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and As) with major sedimentary phases, as well as, provide information on changes in metal partitioning associated with the changing physico-chemical conditions encountered during burial. Extremely high concentrations of heavy metals were recorded (e.g., Zn 3000 µg g-1, Cu 2000 µg g-1). During diagenesis where, with increasing depth, Fe, Mn and Cu become increasingly associated with sulphide phases, resulting depth profiles clearly indicate the differential behavior of metals. Due to sharp alterations in physiochemical conditions, substantial changes in porewater concentrations indicate zones of preferential mobilization. All metals are involved in processes of post depositional diagenetic cycling driven by organic matter degradation and O2 utilization in thermodynamically favored sequence, Fe and Mn oxide and oxyhydroxide dissolution act as controlling variables leading to zones of solid phase metal enrichment. Phase equilibria have been calculated to elucidate observed solid phase partitioning at the redox boundary and processes of subsurface sulfide mineral formation.
  
  Source: Whiteley, J.D. et al.; Metal distribution during diagenesis in the contaminated sediments of Dulas Bay, Anglesey, N. Wales, UK; Applied Geochemistry 18 (6): 901-913, 2003.
  

  to top of page

Other Journal Titles of Interest

• Relevance of joint action toxicity evaluations in setting realistic environmental safe limits of heavy metals. Otitoloju, Adebayo Akeem. Journal of Environmental Management 67 (2): 121-128, 2003.

• Molluscs in biological monitoring of water quality. Slanki, Janos, Anna Farkas, Tamara Kamardina, and Katalin S. Rozsa. Toxicology Letters, In Press, Corrected Proof.

• Response of estuarine meio- and macrofauna to in situ bioremediation of oil-contaminated sediment. Schratzberger, Michaela, Fabien Daniel, Caroline M. Wall, Rebecca Kilbride, Sarah J. Macnaughton, Sian E. Boyd, Hubert L. Rees, Kenneth Lee, and Richard P.J. Swannell. Marine Pollution Bulletin, In Press, Corrected Proof.

• Biodegradation of crude oil contaminating marine shorelines and freshwater wetlands. Venosa, Albert, and Xueqing Zhu. Spill Science & Technology Bulletin, In Press, Corrected Proof.

  to top of page

Upcoming Events and Conferences

• 13th Annual West Coast Conference on Contaminated Soils, Sediments & Water, San Diego, California. This conference is March 17-20. For more information, contact Brenna Bartell at 413-549-5170; e-mail brenna@aehs.com; or visit the website www.aehs.com/conferences/westcoast.

• Environmental Stability of Chemicals in Sediments Workshop. This workshop occurs April 8-10 in San Diego, CA. For more information, contact Susan Vasich at 313-465-7978 or smv@honigman.com; or look at the website: http://www.smwg.org/.
  
  
• In Situ Contaminated Sediment Capping Workshop This conference is May 12-14 in Cincinnati, OH. This will be a national workshop to review the science, technology, and applications of capping at contaminated sediment sites, examine lessons learned, and discuss future directions. For more information, contact Ana Montes, Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) at 650-855-2165. See the website (PDF) for more details.

• Coastal Sediments 2003. This conference occurs May 18-23 in Clearwater Beach, FL. Coastal Sediments '03 is a multi-disciplinary international conference convened for researchers and practitioners to discuss science and engineering issues of coastal sediment processes. Visit the website for more information: http://www.coastalsediments.net/.
  

• 2nd International Symposium on Contaminated Sediments. This conference is May 26-28 in Quebec City, Canada. Conference is subtitled “Characterization, Evaluation, Mitigation/Restoration, Management Strategy, and Performance.” For more information, contact Helene Tremblay at 418-656-2193; e-mail: SCS2003@ggl.ulaval.ca.
  

• In Situ and On-Site Bioremeditation. This conference happens in Orlando, FL, June 2-5. For more information, contact the Conference Group at 800-783-6338 or 614-424-5461; e-mail: info@confgroupinc.com; or see the website: http://www.battelle.org/biosymp.

• International Association for Great Lakes Research Global Threats to Large Lakes: Managing in an Environment of Instability and Unpredictability. The conference occurs June 22-26 in Chicago, IL. For more information, contact Marc Tuchman at the EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office at 312-353-1369 or email at tuchman.marc@epa.gov.
  
  
• Coastal Structures Conference. This conference takes place August 26-29 in 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. Or call: 800-548-2723 or 703-295-6300 or visit http://www.asce.org/conferences/coastal2003/index.cfm.
  

• Second International Conference on the Remediation of Contaminated Sediments This conference occurs September 30 through October 3 in Venice, Italy. 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.
  
  
• Contaminated Soils, Sediments, and Water This conference is in Amherst, MA and occurs October 20-23. For more information, contact Denise Leonard at 413-545-1239 or info@UMassSoils.com. For other details, see the website: www.umasssoils.com.
  
  
• SETAC 24th Annual Meeting: Science Without Boarders: Developing Solutions for Global Environmental Challenges This meeting occurs 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. Or call: 850-469-1500, or see the website: http://setac.org/austin.html.
  

  to top of page

Environment Canada, Environmental Contaminants Division. The Contaminated Site Remediation Section provides technical advice and program support for the remediation of contaminated sites and sediments. Many remediation projects have taken place in the Great Lakes. http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/pollution/ecnpd/intro_e.html

EPA's Technology Innovation Office. The soil washing section of this website provides links to citizen's guides, technologies, regulatory guidances, and training programs focusing on this method of cleaning contaminated sites. http://clu-in.org/techfocus/

Great Lakes Information Network. A compilation of news and information articles on current contaminated sediment related issues in the Great Lakes. http://www.great-lakes.net/envt/pollution/consed.html

Fox River Watch. A project of the Clean Water Action Council of northeastern Wisconsin, this site contains extensive information for the public about PCB contamination of the Fox River and Green Bay, the proposed cleanup, and health effects of exposure to PCBs. http://www.foxriverwatch.com/

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. A website maintained by the sailing ship Clearwater. This website contains information on the PCB contamination of the Hudson River and the steps currently being taken to restore the waterway. http://clearwater.org/

Anacostia River Demonstration of Innovative Capping Techniques. This website describes the activities of a federally funded project l to demonstrate the use of sand caps on the Anacostia River to prevent the release of contaminants in river sediment. http://www.hsrc-ssw.org/anacostia/

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This website can be searched for information on a variety of substances that can contaminate sediment. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/

to top of page

Wastewater Management | Drinking Water | Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds

EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us