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Contaminated Sediment News
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
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.
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.
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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/