Contaminated sediments pose some of the most difficult site remediation
issues. Contaminated sediments typically reside in spatially variable
and dynamic systems subject to seasonal flow variations and episodic
storm events. The volume of sediments that must be managed at particular
sites often exceeds one million cubic meters, dwarfing many contaminated
soil sites. These sediments are also associated with equally daunting
volumes of water and efforts to remove the contamination typically
entrains even more water. The environmental security of both NATO and
partner countries is at risk due to the pervasive nature of sediment
contamination of rivers, lakes and harbors. A NATO Advanced Research
Workshop was convened in Bratislava in May 2005 to discuss current
approaches to managing contaminated sediments and to identify research
necessary to overcome outstanding problems.
In this text, drawn from presentations and discussion of that workshop,
current approaches to the assessment and remediation of contaminated
sediments will be discussed with the emphasis on in-situ management.
Physical, chemical and biological approaches for the assessment and
remediation of sediments are all addressed. Developing regulatory and
strategic approaches are highlighted with a special emphasis on the
potential for biological remediation for the management of contaminated
sediments.