ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the main approaches currently available for sediment monitoring and regulatory actions, their limitations and strengths. Sediments are recognized as sinks and sources of contaminants in aquatic systems. The effects of sediment contamination on the aquatic biota and on the surrounding environment are cause for concern to scientists, legislators, and resource managers. Contaminants can be introduced into aquatic environments and accumulate in sediments by several pathways including disposal of liquid effluents, runoff and leachates carrying chemicals originating from a variety of urban, industrial and agricultural activities, as well as aerial deposition. The experience gained with water quality management provides insights for the management of sediment quality and argues for site-specific and effects-based approaches which take into account factors such as bioavailability and integration of the toxicological effects of multiple chemicals. The rationale of the equilibrium partitioning approach is that safe sediment contaminant levels can be established by ensuring that water quality criteria are met in sediment interstitial water.
