Recommended Uses of Empirically Derived, Sediment Quality Guidelines for Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems

TLDR

Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) are empirically derived benchmarks that classify chemical concentrations into low‑range values (ERLs/TELs) indicating infrequent adverse effects and high‑range values (ERMs/PELs) indicating likely adverse effects, and are intended as informal, non‑regulatory tools to aid interpretation of chemical data. The paper discusses the predictive abilities and recommended applications of two sets of guidelines, ERLs/ERMs and TELs/PELs. Evaluations show that SQGs reliably assess soft, aqueous sediment quality, enabling classification of samples for toxicity potential, identification of contaminants of concern, and prioritization of affected areas.

Abstract

Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), based upon empirical analyses of matching chemical and biological data, have been developed for many potentially toxic substances. The predictive abilities and recommended applications of two sets of guidelines, ERLs/ERMs and TELs/PELs, are discussed in this paper. The SQGs were intended as informal (i.e., non-regulatory) benchmarks to aid in the interpretation of chemical data. Low-range values (i.e., ERLs or TELs) were intended as concentrations below which adverse effects upon sediment-dwelling fauna would be expected only infrequently. In contrast, the ERMs and PELs represent chemical concentrations above which adverse effects are likely to occur. Evaluations of the reliability and predictive ability of the SQGs indicate they can be used effectively to assess the quality of soft, aqueous, sedimentary deposits. Specifically, the SQGs can be used to classify sediment samples with regard to their potential for toxicity, to identify contaminants of concern, and to prioritize areas of concern based on the frequency and degree to which guidelines are exceeded. Toxicity and bioaccumulation tests, toxicity identification evaluations, and benthic community assessments provide complimentary information for assessing sediment quality.