CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS SCIENCE PRIORITIES

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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

2005

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Page vi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page viii

1. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Page 1

1.1 Introduction Page 1

1.2 Goals of the Contaminated Sediments Science Priorities Document Page 2

1.3 Development of the Contaminated Sediments Science Priorities Document Page 4

1.4 Linkage of the CSSP Document to Agency Planning Processes Page 5

1.5 Relationship of the Contaminated Sediments Science Priorities Document to EPA's National

Strategic Plan Goals Page 6

1.6 Document Organization Page 8

2. OVERVIEW OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT SCIENCE ISSUES ACROSS THE AGENCY'S

REGULATORY PROGRAMS Page 9

2.1 Introduction Page 9

2.2 Scope, Magnitude, and Impacts of Contaminated Sediments Page 9

2.3 Overview of Major Sediment Issues and Needs Across the Agency Page 12

2.4 Recent U.S. EPA Contaminated Sediment Science Activities and Products Page 16

2.5 Overview of Communication and Collaboration Activities Page 20

2.5.1 Collaborative Efforts Within U.S. EPA Page 20

2.5.2 External Collaborative Efforts Page 22

2.6 National Research Council Report on PCB-Contaminated Sediments Page 23

2.7 National Research Council Report on Contaminated Marine Sediments Page 24

2.8 Long-term Trends Affecting Contaminated Sediments Page 26

3. ASSESSING THE SCIENCE ON CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS Page 27

3.1 Introduction Page 28

3.2 Sediment Site Characterization Page 32

3.2.1 Sampling Strategies (Temporal and Spatial) Page 32

3.2.2 Physical Parameters Page 34

3.2.3 Chemical Parameters Page 35

3.2.4 Emerging Potential Sediment Contaminants Page 38

3.2.5 Key Recommendations for Sediment Site Characterization Page 39

3.3 Exposure Assessment Page 40

3.3.1 Bioavailability Page 41

3.3.2 Bioaccumulation Potential Page 42

3.3.3 Fate and Transport Modeling Page 44

3.3.4 Key Recommendations for Exposure Assessment Page 45

3.4 Human Health Toxicity and Risk Characterization Page 47

3.4.1 Science Needs Page 48

3.4.2 Key Recommendations for Human Health Toxicity and Risk Characterization Page 49

3.5 Ecological Effects and Risk Assessment Page 50

3.5.1 Ecological Screening Levels Page 50

3.5.2 Ecological Indicators Page 53

3.5.3 Direct Toxicity to Aquatic Biota Page 57

3.5.4 Ecological Significance and Population Models Page 58

3.5.5 Selection of Ecologically Protective Remedial Options Page 59

3.5.6 Key Recommendations for Selection of Ecologically Protective Remedial Options Page 59

3.6 Sediment Remediation 61 Page

3.6.1 Natural Recovery/Bioremediation Page 62

3.6.2 In situ Capping Page 63

3.6.3 In situ Treatment 64 Page

3.6.4 Dredging/Removal Page 65

3.6.5 Ex situ Treatment Technologies Page 66

3.6.6 Beneficial Use Technologies Page 67

3.6.7 Disposal Options Page 68

3.6.8 Key Recommendations for Sediment Remediation Page 69

3.7 Baseline, Remediation, and Post-Remediation Monitoring Page 71

3.7.1 Key Recommendations for Baseline, Remediation, and Post-Remediation Monitoring Page 74

3.8 Risk Communication and Community Involvement Page 75

3.8.1 Key Recommendations for Risk Communication and Community Involvement Page 77

3.9 Information Management and Exchange Activities Page 78

3.9.1 Key Recommendations for Information Management and Exchange Activities Page 79

4. MEETING SCIENCE NEEDS Page 83

4.1 Introduction Page 83

4.2 Recommended Approaches to Implement Strategy Page 83

REFERENCES Page 89

APPENDIX A: Contaminated Sediment Science Activities Database Page A-1

APPENDIX B: Example of Summary Sheet Page B-1

APPENDIX C: List of Acronyms Page C-1