ABSTRACT

Sediments play an important role in elemental cycling in the aquatic environment. As noted in Chapter 2 they are responsible for transporting a significant proportion of many nutrients and contaminants. They also mediate their uptake, storage, release and transfer between environmental compartments. Most sediment in surface waters derives from surface erosion and comprises a mineral component, arising from the erosion of bedrock, and an organic component arising during soil-forming processes (including biological and microbiological production and decomposition). An additional organic component may be added by biological activity within the water body.