Guidance manual: Bedded sediment bioaccumulation tests

Abstract

Bioaccumulation tests with bedded sediments are the most direct method of deriving tissue residue data required for evaluation of dredge materials and for quantitative ecological and human risk assessments. Bioaccumalation tests are also an important experimental tool for identifying the factors regulating the bioavailability of sediment-associated pollutants and to test various Sediment Quality Criteria approaches. However, the procedures for conducting such tests have not been standardized, making it difficult to compare studies. The manual gives detailed guidance on how to conduct routine' bedded sediment bioaccumulation tests with marine or estuarine deposit-feeding organisms.