ABSTRACT
Contaminants may be comprised of organic compounds, heavy metals, mineral particles, and organisms of various types. Less glamorous contaminants include oil and scum, natural debris, fish, boards, rags, and whatever may be discarded to the sewer or to ambient waters. Contaminants can number, literally, in the millions; about 4000 are regulated in the United States (Champlin and Hendricks, 1993).
