Contaminated Sediments and Remediation-Geochemical Perspective

Sediments are both carriers and potential sources of contaminants in aquatic systems and these materials may also affect groundwater quality and agricultural products when disposed on land. Contaminants are not necessarily fixed permanently by sediment, but may be recycled via biological and chemical agents both within the sediment compartments (pore water) and water column. Bioaccumulation and food chain transfers may be strongly affected by sediment associated pollutants. Benthic organisms in particular, have direct contact with sediment and the contaminant level in the sediment may have greater impact on their survival than that in aqueous solution.