Abstract

 Contaminated sediments are emerging as a major environmental concern. EPA estimates that about 10 percent of the sediment underlying U.S. surface waters are sufficiently contaminated with toxic pollutants to pose risk to fish and fish consumers. In fact, at any time there are more than 2,800 fish advisories in the U.S., many of which can be traced to contaminated sediments. The National Research Council estimates that in the U.S. between 14 and 28 million cubic yards of contaminated sediments from maintenance dredging must be managed annually. This can create difficult remediation problems. In addition, humans can be exposed to higher risk through direct contact with the re-suspended contaminants.
  EPA is actively supporting research to address three fundamental issues of contaminated sediments: quantifying and communicating risks, selecting risk management options and monitoring sites and the remediation progress. To achieve these goals, EPA is conducting in-house research and funds extramural research through the STAR (Science To Achieve Results) grant program. In the last decade, EPA, through the STAR program, has awarded more than $20,000,000 for work related to contaminated sediments. This is in addition to the approximate $10,000,000 EPA/ORD (Office of Research and Development) has invested to support the contaminated sediments work at the South/Southwest Hazardous Substance Research Center (HSRC), and funding for the Small Business Innovation Research Program.
In this presentation, as summary of past and current EPA/STAR research will be presented and discussed. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of contaminated sediments research needs and EPA ORD's (Office of Research and Development) research priorities.