Stochastic Framework for Addressing Chemical Partitioning and Bioavailability in Contaminated Sediment Assessment and Management.

ABSTRACT: Passive sampling to quantify net partitioning of hydrophobic organic contaminants between the porewater and solid phase has advanced risk management for contaminated sediments. Direct porewater (C_free) measures represent the best way to predict adverse effects to biota. However, when the need arises to convert between solid-phase concentration (C_total) and C_free, a wide variation in observed sediment-porewater partition coefficients (K_TOC) is observed due to intractable complexities in binding phases. We propose a stochastic framework in which a given C_total is mapped to an estimated range of C_free through variability in passive sampling-derived K_TOC relationships.

SUBMITTER: Brennan AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11137493 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature