Environmental Effects of Dredging. The K (sub oc) of Nonpolar Organic Compounds in Sediment.
Abstract
This technical note describes testing conducted to determine the partitioning of contaminants between sediment organic carbon and sediment interstitial water, assess the effects of sediment organic carbon upon K(oc) of selected PCBs and fluoranthene, and investigate the effect of time of contact between contaminants and sediment upon the value of K(oc). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to develop and implement sediment quality criteria (SQC) under section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act. SQC, when promulgated, will profoundly affect U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging and disposal operations. Aquatic disposal of dredged material and selection of aquatic disposal sites will be based on SQC. Most SQC approaches currently under development involve a determination of the relationship between contaminant concentrations in sediment and biological effects on organisms exposed to the contaminated sediment. The USACE is presently investigating the link between contaminant levels in sediment and sediment geochemistry, as well as contaminant levels and effects in aquatic organisms. jg
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA292733
Entities
People
- Charolett Hayes
- James M. Brannon
- Judith C. Pennington
- Victor Mcfarland