Bioaccumulation Testing and Interpretation for the Purpose of Sediment QualityAssessment: Status and Needs

摘要

EPA prepared this document to serve as a status and needs summary of the use ofbioaccumulation data. This document was also prepared to respond to increased interest in the fate and effects of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) pollutants, as evidenced by the development of EPA's multimedia PBT Strategy. The purpose of this document is to describe existing knowledge on the use of bioaccumulation data as part of sediment quality assessments. This document: Provides a comprehensive summary of existing knowledge on bioaccumulation; Provides a compilation of exposure and effects data for persistent, bioaccumulative chemicals; Discusses factors that affect the bioavailability of sediment-associated contaminants; Identifies how various programs currently use bioaccumulation data for sediment management decisions; and Identifies issues and research needs for interpreting bioaccumulation data for the purpose of assessing sediment quality.