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Effects of Contaminated Sediments
Background
EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment, air, water, and land – upon which life depends. Sediments are an integral component of aquatic ecosystems providing a habitat for many aquatic organisms. Many sediment-dwelling organisms at the base of the food chain are eaten by organisms at higher trophic levels. Chemicals released to surface waters from industrial and municipal discharges, atmospheric deposition, and polluted runoff from urban and agricultural areas can accumulate in sediment to environmentally harmful levels. Humans, aquatic organisms, and wildlife are at risk from contaminated sediments through direct exposure to pollutants or through consumption of contaminated fish and wildlife. Exposure to these contaminants is linked to cancer, birth defects, neurological defects, immune dysfunction, and liver and kidney ailments. Contaminated sediments may also cause economic impacts to corporations and taxpayers, at both the local and regional level. There is still a significant uncertainty surrounding the questions of both the effects of contaminated sediment and the effectiveness of our current options for remediation (i.e., dredging, capping, monitored natural recovery).
Approach
AED's current contaminated sediment activities are organized into three areas. First, AED staff are developing multiyear research plans for both the Office of Research and Development and the National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, including two research projects being conducted at AED. One will examine the ecological effects of resuspended sediment; the other will evaluate methods to assess the ecological status of the benthic community and the effects of and recovery from remediation, specifically dredging. In the second component of our program, AED staff provide direct technical assistance to solve real world problems and offer advice at Superfund sediment sites. Staff are presently working at such sites as New Bedford Harbor (MA) and the Fox River (WI). Finally, AED provides support to other offices within EPA (e.g., Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation) for activities such as writing guidance documents on various aspects of contaminated sediment management and promoting national consistency in remedial option selection at contaminated sites.
Projects:
- Evaluate the release, bioavailability, and ecological effects of contaminants associated with resuspended sediments at Superfund sites (contact: Rob Burgess)
- Integrative Assessment of Benthic Recovery from Remedial Activities at Superfund Sites (contact: Barbara Bergen)
- Technical assistance and advice at Superfund sediment sites (contact: Skip Nelson)
- Support to other offices within EPA on various aspects of contaminated sediment management (contact: Skip Nelson/Barbara Bergen)
- Promote national consistency in remedial option selection at contaminated sites (contact: Barbara Bergen)