3224 Guidance on characterising, assessing and managing risks associated with potentially contaminated sediments

Overview:

Contaminated sediments are becoming more widely considered throughout the world. At waterfront sites, sediment contamination can represent a reasonably small-scale issue; whereas, at the other end of the scale, sediment contamination can represent a large-scale issue, for instance, where an entire river system has been affected as a result of discharge or waterway management activities.

This publication draws together experience and learning from more than twenty years of investigation, assessment and remediation of sediment sites affected by contamination from across the globe, with a focus on the European Union (EU). The aim of the document is to provide an introduction to sediments; why contaminants may be present in sediments; and the potential risks contaminated sediments can pose to human receptors, aquatic organisms and the wider water environment. The publication is split into sections providing:

• information and advice on the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the assessment of sediment sites affected by contamination;
• information and advice on the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the assessment of sediment sites affected by contamination;
• an overview of a tiered assessment process which can be adopted;
• design of investigation strategies including selection of investigation tools;
• risk assessment tools, and
• remediation solutions designed to manage the source, pathway or receptor (including documentation of key learning points from a review of global experience in the risk management of contaminated sediment sites).

Recommendations are made throughout the publication to aid the reader in reaching a conclusion as to the most suitable methods for investigation, risk assessment and remediation on a site-by-site basis.

The production of these guidelines has been steered within a cooperative EI and CONCAWE approach with respective representatives on the steering boards.

Related title

Introductory guide to contaminated sediments