Current approaches to developing sediment quality criteria

Abstract

AbstractCurrent approaches to developing sediment quality criteria are reviewed and separated into two major groups: those approaches that provide only chemical‐by‐chemical criteria and those that provide criteria for chemical mixtures also. The individual approaches include background sediment chemistry, water quality criteria, sediment/water equilibrium partitioning, sediment bioas‐say, screening level concentration, apparent effects threshold and sediment quality triad. Based on the evaluation of the two groups and seven individual approaches, it is concluded that, for chemical‐by‐chemical criteria, the equilibrium partitioning method shows promise; for criteria that are also applicable to chemical mixtures, the apparent effects threshold/sediment quality triad approaches appear to be most appropriate. Recommendations are made concerning specific immediate research needs, related to developing effective, usable sediment quality criteria.