Dredging Operations Technical Support Program. General Decisionmaking Framework for Management of Dredged Material: Example Application to Commencement Bay, Washington.

摘要

Navigable waterways of the United States have a vital role in the Nation's economic growth. The US Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the dredging and disposal of large volumes of sediment each year. Dredging is a process by which sediments are removed from the bottom of streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, transported via ship, barge, or pipeline, and discharged to land or water. The presence of contamination in some locations has generated concern that dredged material disposal may adversely affect water quality and aquatic organisms or terrestrial organisms. Since many of the waterways are located in industrial and urban areas, some sediments may be highly contaminated with hazardous materials. A general decisionmaking framework based on the results of technically sound tests protocols is described. The decision making framework includes consideration of sediment chemistry, physical chemistry of disposal site environments, and biological effects of sediment contaminants, as well as comparison of test results from sediments to be dredged with test results from reference sediments and with established criteria. The framework provides the basis for selection of the environmentally preferable disposal alternative and for identification of potentially appropriate control measures to minimize problems associated with the presence of contaminants.