Sediment Classification Methods Compendium
Sediment Classification Methods Compendium

Author: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Sediment Oversight Technical Committee

Publisher:

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13:

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This document is a compendium of scientifically valid and accepted methods that can be used to assess sediment quality and predict ecological impacts...the intent here is to provide the most useful overall measures or predictors of ecological impacts currently in use rather than procedures that may have limited application outside of a particular regulatory framework... parag The information provided in the compendium on the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different assessment methods can provide assistance in selecting the appropriate methods.

Sediment Quality Assessment
Sediment Quality Assessment

Author: Graeme Batley

Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING

Published: 2016-02-01

Total Pages: 332

ISBN-13: 1486303862

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Contaminated sediments represent an ongoing threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems. The assessment of sediment quality is, therefore, an important concern for environmental regulators. Sediment quality guidelines are now well established in regulatory frameworks worldwide; however, practical guidance that covers all of the key aspects of sediment quality assessment is not readily available. In 2005, CSIRO published its highly cited Handbook for Sediment Quality Assessment. In the ensuing period, the science has advanced considerably. This practical guide is a revised and much expanded second edition, which will be a valuable tool for environmental practitioners. Written by experts in the field, it provides coverage of: sediment sampling; sample preparation; chemical analysis; ecotoxicology; bioaccumulation; biomarkers; and ecological assessment. In addition, detailed appendices describe protocols for many of the tests to be used.

Sediment Toxicity Assessment
Sediment Toxicity Assessment

Author: G.Allen Burton

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2018-05-04

Total Pages: 362

ISBN-13: 1351093452

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Sediment Toxicity Assessment provides the latest information regarding how to evaluate sediment contamination and its effects on aquatic ecosystems. It presents an integrated ecosystem approach by detailing effective assessment methods, considerations, and effects to each major component of marine and freshwater systems, including the benthos, plankton, and fish communities. The approaches emphasize defining habitat conditions (physical and chemical), toxicant bioavailability, factors influencing toxicity (lab and field), biomarkers, acute and chronic toxicity, study design, collection methods, and EPA management strategies. The book also explains how to integrate the assessments. Sediment Toxicity Assessment will be useful to to all environmental managers, environmental scientists, ecotoxicologists, environmental regulators, aquatic ecologists, environmental contractors and consultants, instructors, students, conservation commissions, and environmental activist organizations.

Habitats and Biota of the Gulf of Mexico: Before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Habitats and Biota of the Gulf of Mexico: Before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Author: C. Herb Ward

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-06-26

Total Pages: 917

ISBN-13: 1493934473

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This book is open access under a CC BY-NC 2.5 license. The Gulf of Mexico is an open and dynamic marine ecosystem rich in natural resources but heavily impacted by human activities, including agricultural, industrial, commercial and coastal development. The Gulf of Mexico has been continuously exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons for millions of years from natural oil and gas seeps on the sea floor, and more recently from oil drilling and production activities located in the water near and far from shore. Major accidental oil spills in the Gulf are infrequent; two of the most significant include the Ixtoc I blowout in the Bay of Campeche in 1979 and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. Unfortunately, baseline assessments of the status of habitats and biota in the Gulf of Mexico before these spills either were not available, or the data had not been systematically compiled in a way that would help scientists assess the potential short-term and long-term effects of such events. This 2-volume series compiles and summarizes thousands of data sets showing the status of habitats and biota in the Gulf of Mexico before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Volume 1 covers: water and sediment quality and contaminants in the Gulf; natural oil and gas seeps in the Gulf of Mexico; coastal habitats, including flora and fauna and coastal geology; offshore benthos and plankton, with an analysis of current knowledge on energy capture and energy flows in the Gulf; and shellfish and finfish resources that provide the basis for commercial and recreational fisheries.

Clean Coastal Waters
Clean Coastal Waters

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2000-08-17

Total Pages: 422

ISBN-13: 0309069483

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Environmental problems in coastal ecosystems can sometimes be attributed to excess nutrients flowing from upstream watersheds into estuarine settings. This nutrient over-enrichment can result in toxic algal blooms, shellfish poisoning, coral reef destruction, and other harmful outcomes. All U.S. coasts show signs of nutrient over-enrichment, and scientists predict worsening problems in the years ahead. Clean Coastal Waters explains technical aspects of nutrient over-enrichment and proposes both immediate local action by coastal managers and a longer-term national strategy incorporating policy design, classification of affected sites, law and regulation, coordination, and communication. Highlighting the Gulf of Mexico's "Dead Zone," the Pfiesteria outbreak in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, and other cases, the book explains how nutrients work in the environment, why nitrogen is important, how enrichment turns into over-enrichment, and why some environments are especially susceptible. Economic as well as ecological impacts are examined. In addressing abatement strategies, the committee discusses the importance of monitoring sites, developing useful models of over-enrichment, and setting water quality goals. The book also reviews voluntary programs, mandatory controls, tax incentives, and other policy options for reducing the flow of nutrients from agricultural operations and other sources.

Oil in the Sea III
Oil in the Sea III

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2003-03-14

Total Pages: 278

ISBN-13: 0309084385

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Since the early 1970s, experts have recognized that petroleum pollutants were being discharged in marine waters worldwide, from oil spills, vessel operations, and land-based sources. Public attention to oil spills has forced improvements. Still, a considerable amount of oil is discharged yearly into sensitive coastal environments. Oil in the Sea provides the best available estimate of oil pollutant discharge into marine waters, including an evaluation of the methods for assessing petroleum load and a discussion about the concerns these loads represent. Featuring close-up looks at the Exxon Valdez spill and other notable events, the book identifies important research questions and makes recommendations for better analysis ofâ€"and more effective measures againstâ€"pollutant discharge. The book discusses: Inputâ€"where the discharges come from, including the role of two-stroke engines used on recreational craft. Behavior or fateâ€"how oil is affected by processes such as evaporation as it moves through the marine environment. Effectsâ€"what we know about the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine organisms and ecosystems. Providing a needed update on a problem of international importance, this book will be of interest to energy policy makers, industry officials and managers, engineers and researchers, and advocates for the marine environment.