Abstract

 SedNet is a demand driven Sediment Research Network financed by the European community. It provides a platform where organisations responsible for the sustainable management of river basin/fresh water body related sediments and dredged material (problem owners) can meet and communicate with organisations that help provide solutions to their problems, in the form of tools, knowledge, technologies and expertise needed for that management. One of the six working groups within the network focuses on "Site investigation and characterisation".
The main objective of this working group is to develop a decision support system for site investigation and characterisation (sediment quality assessment/monitoring) methods, related to the aim of the study, for example monitoring, dredging or restoration. Currently, assessment methods are generally focussed on a chemical characterisation of the sediment at the moment when sediments have to be removed for nautical or hydraulically reasons. However, the assessment for ecological reasons and also general assessment for river basin management becomes more important. Therefore, this working group will make an overview of the huge variety of sampling and assessment methods used all over the world. Advantages and disadvantages will be listed and discussed in order to come to accepted and harmonized methods that will be used in all participating countries, so that results of one river basin, but throughout different countries, can be compared.
  The findings will be discussed on several workshops, which will be organised during the coming two and a half years. Beside this there will a close cooperation with the other working groups dealing with topics that are also relevant regarding site investigation and characterisation. The meetings will make clear which of the topics out of the problem catalogue, made at the beginning, need more attention. This might result in further research proposals. The problem catalogue will be adapted to the results of the meetings.