PROCEDURES FOR THE DERIVATION OF EQUILIBRIUM PARTITIONING SEDIMENT BENCHMARKS (ESBS) FOR THE PROTECTION OF BENTHIC ORGANISMS: COMPENDIUM OF TIER 2 VALUES FOR NONIONIC ORGANICS

Description:

The equilibrium partitioning sediment benchmark (ESB) document prepared by scientists at the Atlantic Ecology Division and Mid-Continent Ecology Division describes procedures to determine what amounts of 32 nonionic organic chemicals in sediment are considered non-toxic or safe to benthic organisms such as worms, clams and shrimp. The equilibrium partitioning (EqP) approach was chosen because it is based on the concentrations of chemical(s) that are known to be harmful and bioavailable in the environment.  This document, and four others published over the last five years and one more to be released in the next few years, will be useful for the program offices, including Superfund, and Regions in conducting contami¬nated sediment assessments. The documents represent approximately 15 years of research and development by scientists working within EPAs Office of Research and Development (ORD), as well as the Office of Water, and review of the scientific approach by the Agencys Science Advisory Board (SAB). Originally, this document was to be published by the Office of Water as a formal sediment quality criterion (SQC), but the decision was made approximately seven years ago for ORD to publish this and the other ESBs as technical information. Consequently, the document is being published purely to aid in conducting sediment assessments.

Contact: Robert Burgess   (401) 782-3106   burgess.robert@epa.gov  

Office: OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Full Record ID: 127089

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