The first books in the SedNet-Elsevier book series “Sustainable Management of Sediment Resources” are published. In these books the book editors, supported by several top-level scientists from the SedNet network put in a remarkable and admirable amount of energy, and of their scarce time, to further shape their thoughts and idea’s as shared in the many, European Commission (EC) funded workshops and conferences organised by SedNet between 2002 and 2004. At 23 November 2006, at the 4th SedNet conference in Venice, these first books were presented by Jos Brils, the former SedNet coordinator, to Dr. Jürgen Büsing, the former EC scientific officer related to SedNet.

Dr. Büsing in his response praised SedNet. He mediated that less then 1% of the EC funded projects achieve what SedNet has achieved, hence SedNet can be regarded as a big success. SedNet to date has reached a level where the Commission is expecting SedNet to propose a European sediment research agenda. Key sediment research issues may thus find its way in future EC Framework Programme 7 calls.

The full text of the book presentation can be read below. Furthermore information is given on how the books can be ordered at Elsevier.

SedNet-Elsevier book presentation (Venice, 23 November 2006) 

Dear Dr. Büsing,
Dear Jürgen,
Dear SedNet friend,

Five years ago the Commission provided seed money to SedNet to set up a successful European Network in the area of sediments. Since 2 years now, SedNet stands at its own feet and, as you can see for example today, in an excellent shape. Our first big event organized after our last conference as EC project manages to attract as many people as we attracted to our first conference in Venice in 2002. So a clear sign that the network, and even more, the interest in sediment is still very much alive in Europe! And this is not only due to haven chosen Venice as our homebase …

The success of SedNet – like any other network - can only be measured through the activity of its members. Hence, I – as former coordinator of SedNet - am extremely pleased, honored and also very proud to be able to present to you tonight an excellent and tangible example of the activity of the committed SedNet members: the first two, of a series of four, scientific books in the SedNet-Elsevier book series on “Sustainable Management of Sediment Resources”.

The book editors, supported by several top-level scientists from the SedNet network especially in the last two years put in a remarkable and admirable amount of energy, and of their scarce time, to further shape their thoughts and idea’s as shared with us in the many workshops and conferences organized by SedNet.

The first volume – edited by our SedNet friends Damia Barcelo and Mira Petrovic - present here tonight - addresses the issue of “Sediment Quality and Impact Assessment of Pollutants”. It covers a state-of-the art scientific description and evaluation of issues like: sampling, bioavailability of contaminants, chemical analysis, effect directed analysis and toxicity identification evaluation, benthos sediment quality assessment, modeling of polluatnt fate and behavior etc. Dear Damia and Mira: congratulations to you and your SedNet core-team and all the other co-authors with this outstanding piece of work. The book is already appreciated globally: I understood that the first orders at Elsevier are already coming in from Sudan!

The second volume – edited by our SedNet friends Peppe Bortone and Leo Palumbo - also present here tonight - addresses the issue of “Sediment and Dredged Material Treatment”. This volume has a European perspective and asks: “How can you achieve sustainable sediment treatment”. For this many steps have to be considered beforehand. These are addressed in the book. Furthermore, it give an overview of the costs involved in sediment treatment. Dear Peppe and Leo: also congratulations to you and your SedNet core-team and all the other co-authors with this outstanding piece of work.

Dear Jürgen. It is very much due to your personal commitment to SedNet that I can hereby give you these two books now. You stimulated us - half way the SedNet project - to produce these tangible results in order to ‘not only have nice discussions’ but also ‘leave traces’. I guess you will agree to me that SedNet succeeded in that….

And, there is more to come.

The third SedNet volume – edited by Susanne Heise – will address the issue of “Sediment Risk Management and Communication”. This volume is expected to be released half way January next year. And last but not least, the fourth volume – edited by Phil Owens – will address the issue of “Sediment Management at the River Basin Scale”. The release of this volume is expected for the 2nd half of next year. Hence, I also want to congratulate Susanne, Phil, their core-team and co-authors for this great achievement. And, once published, you will see that the quality of work will match to the high level as set by Volume 1 and 2.

Dear Jürgen, Dear SedNet friends please enjoy these books and let them be a source of inspiration in your future works in the area of sediment. Enjoy the conference and thank you very much for your attention. And please end by giving a big applause to all the SedNet friends involved in the production of these books.

How to order these books at Elsevier?

You can order from your favorite bookseller or directly from Elsevier: books.elsevier.com

SedNet-Elsevier book series on “Sustainable Management of Sediment Resources”:

Volume 1 - Sediment Quality and Impact Assessment of Pollutants
ISBN: 0-444-51962-9, 348 pages, Euro 107.00, USD 130.00, GBP 74.00

Volume 2 - Sediment and Dredged Material Treatment
ISBN: 0-444-51963-7, 222 pages, Euro 82.95, USD 99.50, GBP 57.99

Volume 3 - Sediment Risk Management and Communication
ISBN: 0-444-51965-3, 300 pages, Euro 82.95, USD 99.50, GBP 57.99

Volume 4 - Sediment Management at the River Basin Scale
ISBN: 0-444-51961-0, Euro 82.95, USD 99.50, GBP 57.99