Biological Mediation of Material Fluxes across the Sediment-water Interface in Estuaries and Coastal Systems
Abstract
LONG-TERM GOALS. The strong association of contaminants with fine-grained or organic-rich sediments is well established. Contaminants focused at the sediment-water interface may be resuspended, transported, transformed or buried, depending on the phasing and interactions among biological, physical and chemical processes. Our long term goal is to develop a better understanding of how materials are exchanged across the sediment-water interface and how these process influence the transport and fate of contaminants in coastal ecosystems. A knowledge of these processes is essential for ecological risk assessments for sediment-associated contaminants and for designing effective remediation strategies for contaminated coastal harbors. SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES. The major objectives of our field and laboratory based studies are to characterize the rates, magnitudes, frequencies and mechanisms of particle and fluid exchanges across the sediment-water interface in selected environments. We are characterizing patterns and processes over a range of spatial (cm to km) and temporal scales (minutes to 10s of years) relevant to the estuarine - coastal ocean gradient. A strongly coupled goal is to determine how and when these processes control the transport and fate of contaminants. In order to accomplish our objectives we are comparing 'endmember' sites characterized by different levels of bioturbation, and which vary in the relative importance of hydrodynamic forcings (e.g. waves, tidal currents), sediment inputs and contaminant loadings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA634609
Entities
People
- Linda C. Schaffner
Organizations
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science