United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Mail Code 4304 EPA-822-F-93-012 October 1993 FACT SHEET Technical Basis for Deriving Sediment Quality Criteria for Nonionic Organic Contaminants for the Protection of Benthic Organisms by Using Equilibrium Partitioning AUTHORITY Sediment quality criteria are published pursuant to Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act and may form the basis for enforceable standards if adopted by a State into water quality standards. The criteria reflect the latest scientific knowledge on the concentration of a nonionic organic contaminant that EPA has determined causes or has the potential to cause adverse effects on benthic organisms. They are developed using an approach described in the Technical Basis for Deriving Sediment Quality Qriteria for Nonionic Organic Contaminants for the Projection of Benthic Organisms bv Using Equilibrium Partitioning (EPA-822-R-93-011). BACKGROUND The approach was selected after considering a variety of approaches that could be used to assess sediment contamination. Technical reviews of the methodology and supporting science was conducted by the EPA Science Advisory Board in February 1989 and June 1992. It was found that this approach established a causitive link between the bioavailable fraction of a contaminant in the sediment and the effects on benthic organisms. AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENT Copies of the technical basis document (EPA-822-R-93-011) and other reflated documents, may be obtained from U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Water Resource Center (Mail Code RC-4100) 401 MSt.,S. W. Washington, D.C. 20460 For further information, you may contact Ms. Mary C. Reiley U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (Mail Code 4304) 401 M St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 ------- |