Current approaches to developing sediment quality criteria

Abstract

Abstract Current 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.