HEADLINES
SedNet Round-Table discussion and Conference - Summary of
Discussions
Submitted by S. Heise, editor of the Sediment Corner, SETAC Globe,
authored by Piet den Besten (RIZA, the Netherlands) and Sabine Apitz (SEA
Environmental Decisions Ltd, UK)
Sediments are an essential, integral and dynamic part of hydrologic systems,
which provide connections between land, rivers, estuaries and the sea. Whilst
for decades, many scientists have treated the complex and abundant biota in the
vast soil and sediment ecosystems that cover this planet as 'black boxes', these
millions of species are critical to the maintenance of essential ecosystem
services such as carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, soil and shoreline
stabilization and water purification1. The
functioning and health of these ecosystems, and their ability to deliver
services are intimately linked to sediment quality, quantity, and dynamic
balance. It is clear that human activities, from the local to the global scale,
are affecting biodiversity and functioning, and that sectoral management of
soils and sediments in support of one ecosystem service, such as abstraction,
dredging, forestry, etc., can negatively impact other services, either in that
system, or in other connected systems. However, to what extent this is so is not
clear, nor do most of our soil and sediment assessments address this
issue2.
Because of their ability to transport and accumulate contaminants, much of
the regulatory attention related to sediments has been on their quality, and
thus in the first three years of SedNet3
contaminated sediments in freshwater systems were the main focus. However, it is
clear that sectoral management decisions such as the damming of rivers, dredging
of waterways, abstraction and many other activities can have significant
hydromorphological effects that can impact ecosystem functioning due to sediment
excess or lack. Thus, to achieve the objectives of European ecosystem-based
policy such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Marine Strategy
Directive (MSD), the Habitats Directive (HSD), Integrated Coastal Zone
Management (ICZM) and others, it is essential that more attention is paid to the
connecting role of sediments, from land to the sea. To achieve good ecological
status or potential and to support the well-being of the European economy at the
same time, sustainable sediment management is important.
 To continue to encourage integrated thinking on river basin
management, the now self-funded SedNet held a round-table discussion entitled
"Sediment Management - an Essential Part of River Basin Management Plans" form
the 22nd to 23rd of November, 2006, in Venice, Italy. Immediately following, to
address their new, expanded focus, SedNet organized an open scientific
conference "Sediment key-issues between the river and the sea" from the 23rd to
24th of November. Both were hosted by UNESCO at the Palazzo Zorzi.
Footnotes:
- Wall DH (ed) (2004): Sustaining
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Soils and Sediments. Island Press,
Washington, DC, 275 p
- S E Apitz (2006) Challenges in the
INTERCOMP area. Journal of Soils and Sediments 6(4)
- The EC Framework 6, demand-driven
sediment research network; www.sednet.org.
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Round-Table discussion:
Sediment Management - an
Essential Part of River Basin Management Plans
The Round-Table session brought together invited river basin managers, user
group representatives and scientists from four selected European river basins,
Danube, Douro, Elbe and Humber, to discuss their interests, challenges,
expectations and how to move forward in sediment management at the river basin
scale. The WFD requires that River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) be produced and
published by 2009. If SedNet's goal that sediment management (quality and
quantity) becomes a part of these plans is to be achieved there is a need for
scientific and practical guidance on how to consider sediment management issues.
An objective of the round-table discussions, then, was to use real world
examples to develop conceptual approaches on how to address sediment related
issues based on legal requirements, the needs of users and scientific
advice.
The 23 current member states of the EC have 96 River Basin Districts (RBDs),
27 of them crossing international boundaries. Other European countries that wish
to adopt European Union approaches, and the proposed accession countries, bring
dozens more RBDs into the equation. However, a recurring theme in discussions of
the case studies was that each case was unique, for scientific, socioeconomic
and political reasons, and there was great concern that a "one size fits all"
European approach is not imposed upon all areas. Sediment quality (due to
contaminants and nutrients) was a focus of concern in three of the case studies,
and there was a recognition of the need for better understanding and control of
current and historical sources of contaminants, even when this involved
international and cross-regional cooperation. However, more discussion focused
on issues of sediment balance. Often in the same river basin, different areas
had opposite sediment quantity issues - activities such as dredging and
reservoir flushing were causing ecological impacts such as smothering, habitat
loss and light attenuation, whilst downstream sediment lack was causing erosion
or loss of wetlands and other critical habitat or coastal protection. There was
clear recognition that there is a need to better understand sediment sources,
dynamics and their interactions with both human management and ecosystem
functioning and services. At the same time, there was recognition that human
intervention such as dredging could not cease, and that solutions needed to be
both ecologically and economically sustainable. In all the case studies, there
was a recognition that this would require creative communication and
collaboration between various sectors, and that, although not all objectives
were achievable, win-win situations must be sought.
 There is a need for wide recognition that the
current “at risk” classification within the WFD is a screening level, which
should trigger spatial discrimination, further study of effects and tests of the
significance of impacts. This requires an evidence-based approach to link
sediment state to impacts, and integrated thinking about rivers and transitional
waters. There is a need to collate available data to identify knowledge gaps and
enhance understanding, linking sediment management to environmental and climate
change issues, without compromising the ability of the system to respond. This
requires an adaptive management approach.
In summary, sediment was found to be an important issue in all of the four
river basins (and in others discussed), but each river basin has specific
characteristics; therefore sediment management will differ in each. Estuaries
are different from rivers; there was a feeling from those who manage estuaries
that the past river basin focus of SedNet resulted in too much ‘fluvial’
thinking thus far. Whilst many lessons learned will be of relevance, differences
can be expected in coasts and estuaries, especially in terms of time scales,
effectiveness of measures, and the closer linking of sediment management to
environmental/climate change issues on the coast. It was agreed that integration
of the requirements of different directives will be difficult for river basin
managers and users, but that this is essential if their objectives are to be
met.
Another discussion point was the development and use of sediment
environmental quality standards (EQS). These should be regarded as high level
screening values; the start of diagnostics (using tiered approaches). It is
essential to use different lines of evidence, and to link sediment state to
impacts, and thus a good understanding of the system is necessary. The role of
EQS is different in upstream parts of the river basin to that in downstream
parts (estuaries), and EQS may not be appropriate for sediments in highly
variable situations where measurable state-impact links are not well understood.
A further concern was that EU Policies may create conflicting ambitions, for
instance between the environment, transport and health objectives.
Finally, the round-table concluded that achieving good ecological status
requires a proper attention to sediment issues, with an awareness of natural
variation and differences between catchments. Current WFD “at risk”
classifications of water bodies require further spatial definition and a linkage
of risk to impact. Those involved in transitional water management need better
engagement with those involved with river management (and vice versa). There is
a requirement to collate available data to identify knowledge gaps and enhance
understanding. Finally, it was felt that the EU should not only fund problem
identification, but also problem solving processes.
A complete summary of the Round-Table discussions, including details about
the four case studies, will be available on the SedNet website by the end of
January 2007.
The outcome of the Round-Table discussion will be presented at the seminar
“Navigation and the EU Water Framework Directive” organised by PIANC on 31
January 2007 in Brussels.
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SedNet Conference:
Sediment key-issues between the river
and the sea
Not surprisingly, the scope of the scientific presentations invited for this
conference reflected the complexity of issues described above. Whilst a number
were on the distribution, sources and effects of contaminants in sediments
(quality), a large number focused upon studies and tools to better understand
the sources, transport, dynamics and effects of sediments (quantity) from land
to estuaries and the sea. Sediment management talks addressed management
strategies, decision frameworks, and conceptual and communication tools for
better linking sediment science, policy and management. A unifying theme through
many of the sessions was how sediment mediates intimate links between human
activities and ecosystem functioning, using the concept of ecosystem
services4 as the connection.
Whilst there was a general agreement about the important role of sediment in
mediating ecosystem services, the emphasis on sediment as a problem or a
resource (or both) differed depending upon the focus of various studies. It was
recommended that the role of sediments in RBMPs could only be effectively
addressed with a focus on the links between economic activities, ecosystem
function and ecosystem services. Although implicitly required in European
policy, a conclusion was that ecosystem-based, rather than standards-based
management was currently not being carried out. A role of SedNet and its
associated scientists, stakeholders and managers should be to identify essential
ecosystem services, and then to manage human activities and sediments to protect
and enhance the habitats that are essential to provide those services. Whilst
some felt that the serious impacts caused by excess sediments should result in
the consideration of suspended matter as a pollutant to be eliminated, others
were more concerned with the impacts of sediment loss, and it was generally felt
that science and policy should focus on a balance. Win-win situations are
possible, and it is necessary to develop ways to meet economic and ecological
objectives.
There was concern that whilst many of the processes controlling sediment
dynamics responded on very long timescales to short timescale actions and
decisions, there was a general feeling that we could learn from historical
records and trends, but that decisions could not always wait for certainty, and
that caution and adaptive management were necessary.
Hydrologic and sediment systems are not static, even under natural
conditions. However, human intervention can change the rates and extents of
those changes. Humans have and will continue to change these systems, but there
is a growing need to understand and control the effects of these changes.
Sediments are a critical link between many systems and activities, and thus
their role must be understood and managed. It is clear, however, that the role
of sediments is so diverse and far-reaching that a European Sediment Directive
would not be the right approach, as there is no on-size-fits all solution to the
issues. Rather, it is important to understand the role of sediments in various
ecological and socioeconomic processes. SedNet seeks to provide a forum for
sediment-related discussions linking the scientific, political and technical
aspects of sediment and it impacts from land to the sea.
Text also published in the SETAC Globe. Reprinted with
permission from the SETAC Globe, member newsletter of the Society of
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), which cannot be responsible for
the validity of all information presented here or for the consequences of its
use. Information contained herein has not been reviewed or substantially edited
and does not necessarily reflect the policy or views of SETAC. Mention of
commercial or noncommercial products, services, or organizations does not imply
endorsement or affiliation by SETAC.
Footnotes:
- UNEP (2006): Marine and coastal
ecosystems and human wellbeing: A synthesis report based on the findings of the
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi,
Kenya, 76 pp
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SedNet Conference, 23-24 November 2006, Venice,
Italy
“Sediment key-issues between the river and the sea”
An impression by Phil Owens, Cranfield University, UK
Sediment, along with water, provides a link between the fluvial, estuarine
and marine environments. Thus it connects river catchments to the coastal zone.
To date, however, it can be argued that work on sediment dynamics and management
in freshwater river catchments has tended to be isolated from work on estuarine
and marine areas, except at critical interfaces or where one provides input to
the other. With the introduction of the Water Framework Directive and Marine
Strategy, and associated research and policy requirements for these, there is a
need to assess the role of sediment at the river-sea interface. In order to
encourage this interaction, SedNet organized a conference on the 23-24th
November 2006 entitled: Sediment key-issues between the river and the
sea, which was hosted by UNESCO at Palazzo Zorzi in Venice, Italy.
 
The conference was attended by about 100 delegates from 15 countries. There
were 16 oral and 23 poster presentations. On the afternoon and evening of the
23rd November, there was a reception at Palazzo Zorzi during which the posters
were displayed and the SedNet book series was launched by Jürgen Büsing of the
European Commission - DG Research. SedNet books 1 (Barceló and Petrovic, 2007)
and 2 (Bortone and Palumbo, 2007) were officially handed to the EC in
recognition of their financial support for the 3-year first phase of SedNet
(2002-2004). Books 3 (Heise, 2007) and 4 (Owens, 2007) of the SedNet series are
officially due out in early-mid 2007.
Day-2 of the conference started with welcoming presentations by Axel Netzband
(Hamburg Port Authority, Germany, and Chairperson of SedNet) and Philippe
Pypaert (UNESCO, Italy). This was followed by a summary by Piet den Besten
(Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Watermanagement/RIZA, the Netherlands,
and SedNet Steering Group) of a round-table workshop organized by SedNet at the
same venue on 22-23 November. Piet presented the outcome of the discussions by
regulators, scientific experts and stakeholders on sediment issues and
management in four river basins: Danube, Douro, Elbe and Humber. One thing that
became clear during the workshop was the fact that sediment was an important,
and perhaps largely neglected, part of all four river basins, and that River
Basin Management Plans as part of the WFD need to pay more attention to the role
and functioning of sediments within water ecosystems.
The first key-note presentation was by Patrick Meire (University of Antwerp,
Belgium) on Estuaries: the transition zone between land and water. This
presentation described the temporal and spatial dynamics associated with water,
sediment and chemical fluxes and how estuarine environments are sensitive to
hydrodynamic and geomorphological changes. The following session was on
Sediment Contamination and included presentations by Rosa Maria
Bertolotto (Agenzia Regionale Protezione Ambiente Liguria, Italy), Slobodan Miko
(Croatian Geological Survey, Coatia), Aud Helland (Norwegian Institute for Water
Research, Norway), Aris Karageorgis (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research,
Greece) and Michiel Kotterman (Wageningen-TNO Imares, The Netherlands). The
presentations were concerned with understanding sediment-contaminant (metals,
nutrients, POPs etc) dynamics, in terms of sources, concentrations and fluxes,
in transitional and coastal waters. They described different methodological
approaches, issues and constraints to sediment assessment and evaluation.
 The second session was on Sediment Transport and
Dynamics and opened with a key-note presentation by Victor de Jonge
(Groningen University, The Netherlands) on Functions of mud in estuarine and
coastal ecosystems. Victor’s presentation described the lessons that can be
learnt from basic ecological theories for a wider understanding of sediment
dynamics for improved sediment management in estuarine and coastal environments.
Other presentations in this session were by Paula Freire (National Civil
Engineering Laboratory, Portugal), Larissa Naylor (Environment Agency, UK),
Albert Rovira (IRTA, Spain), Rodney Stevens (Göteborg University, Sweden) and
Jim Bogen (Norwegia Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Norway).
The last session focused more specifically on Sediment Management and
included a pleasing mix of approaches. Lindsay Murray (CEFAS, UK) opened the
session with a key note on The benefits of the use of dredged material in the
aquatic system using case study examples to illustrate how the physical
management of sediment in estuarine and coastal areas can result in societal and
ecological benefits. Alternative sediment management approaches and strategies
were provided by Maria Jesus Belzunce (AZTI-Tecnalia, Spain), Sabine Apitz (SEA
Environmental Decisions, UK) and Adriaan Slob (TNO, The Netherlands), which
further highlighted the important role of sediment within environmental-,
ecosystem- and policy-based decision-making.
As a summary, the three key-note speakers were asked to provide key
statements that partly summarized their presentations as well as some of the
others, and these were:
- Ecosystem-based management is essential and often not found in
EU-legislation.
- Integration is necessary, not only with regards to sediments.
- Fundamental direct and indirect human activities should also be considered
as pollutants.
- Let’s be humble. There is a lot we still don’t know. All river systems have
their own characteristics.
- Solutions have to support both economy and ecology, one can’t live without
the other..
- Although there is a lot we still don’t know, we must not stop to act.
As a general conclusion, Axel Netzband explained that while sediments are
clearly important in all riverine, estuarine and marine systems, that there is
not one simple management solution that fits all situations. SedNet can,
however, play an important role through facilitating discussion between various
interested parties and experts and via discussions with policy-makers including
the EU.
The SedNet Steering Group would like to thank all of the attendees, the oral
and poster presenters, session chairs, UNESCO for hosting the conference, and
Consorzio Venezia Nuovo for helping organize the poster session. It is planned
that selected presentations from the conference will be published in Journal
of Soils and Sediments in late 2007. For further details contact Phil Owens:
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.
Abstracts and slides of the oral and poster presentations can be found on www.SedNet.org.
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First SedNet-Elsevier books available and presented to the
EC
The first books in the SedNet-Elsevier book series “Sustainable Management of
Sediment Resources” have been published. In these books the book editors
together with 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 ideas as shared in the many, European Commission (EC)
funded workshops and conferences organised by SedNet between 2002 and 2004. On
23 November 2006, at the 4th SedNet conference in Venice, these first books were
presented by Jos Brils (former SedNet coordinator), to Dr. Jürgen Büsing,
(former EC scientific officer related to SedNet).
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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 at the SedNet website at:
http://www.SedNet.org/content/view/102/103/.
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How to order SedNet-Elsevier books?
You can order the books from your 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
Barceló, D. and Petrovic, M. (Eds) (2007).
ISBN:
0-444-51962-9, 348 pages, Euro 107.00, USD 130.00, GBP 74.00
Volume 2 - Sediment and Dredged Material Treatment
Bortone, G. and
Palumbo, L. (Eds) (2007).
ISBN: 0-444-51963-7, 222 pages, Euro 82.95, USD
99.50, GBP 57.99
Volume 3 - Sediment Risk Management and Communication
Heise, S. (Ed.)
(2007).
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
Owens, P.N.
(Ed.) (2007).
ISBN: 0-444-51961-0, Euro 82.95, USD 99.50, GBP 57.99
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SedNet Steering Group
Phil Owens of Cranfield University, UK, will change jobs by the end of 2006
and as a consequence move to Canada. Phil’s position in the SedNet Steering
Group will be taken over by
Professor Sue White. Sue is Chair in Integrated
Catchment Management within the Natural Resources Department at Cranfield
University. She heads the Integrated Earth System Sciences Institute and has an interest
in the management of sediment within integrated environmental management
programmes. Sue has international experience of soil conservation, sediment
delivery, sediment transport and sedimentation issues through a range of
applied, monitoring and modelling studies. Within the UK sediment is an issue
for many freshwater bodies in terms of intermittent high sediment
concentrations, morphological change, associated sorbed pollutants, and dredging
management. Together with Prof. Sabine Apitz, Sue coordinates a national
sediment network, SedComUK, whose aim is to bring together a range of
disciplines and stakeholders interested in sediment to improve management at the
catchment scale.
The SedNet Steering Group wishes to thank Phil for his contributions and
enthusiasm which helped SedNet become what it is today.
Phil’s new contact
details are:
Phil Owens
Chair in Landscape Ecology
Environmental Sciences
Program
University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George
British
Columbia
Canada – V2N 4Z9
Email:
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A warm welcome from the SedNet Steering Group to Sue White and also to Audun
Hauge, another new Steering Group member who attended the SG meeting on 22
November. Audun works with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI). NGI is
involved in sediment management, with a specific interest to marine sediments
and remediation options.
 
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The 12th Magdeburg Seminar on Protection of Waters
The 12th Magdeburg Seminar was held from 10 to 13 October 2006 in Český
Krumlov, Czech Republic. Like the previous Magdeburg conferences, this Seminar
provided a platform for exchange of expertise between scientists, practitioners,
and administrators in the fields of hydrology, water quality and aquatic
ecology. Nearly 300 participants mainly from the Czech Republic and Germany, but
also from other Eastern and Central European countries, discussed challenges of
the further implementation process of the European Water Framework Directive in
transboundary rivers, aspects of planning in river basin districts, and the
impacts of extreme hydrological events against the background of the anticipated
climate change. SedNet acted as one of the co-organisers of the conference and
informed about its activities with an own information desk. One of the ten
conference sessions was completely dedicated to the sediment issue. In this
session, which was co-chaired by Frantisek Pojer, Deputy Minister of the
Environment of the Czech Republic, and Peter Heininger from the SedNet steering
group, themes addressed included the hydraulic stability of old contaminated
sediments in rivers, their risk assessment, the sediment management in the tidal
Elbe, the information system 'Sedimentkataster' of the German Federal Institute
of Hydrology (BfG), the natural retention of contaminants in floodplains and the
agricultural use of floodplains (see also: www.mgs.vltava.info).
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Working Group "Sediments and quality status of waters"
The Working Group "Sediments and quality status of waters" is a scientific
board in the Water Chemical Division of the German Chemical Society (GDCh)
with the aim to provide a platform of expertise exchange between universities,
research institutions, governmental and administrative agencies, as well as
technical associations and interest groups. At their regular meetings, the
working-group members present and discuss recent results of pertinent research
projects at national and international levels. The current focus of interest is
on the topic "Mobility of sediments and suspended particulate matter (SPM) and
their significance in the mass transport in river basins, with the example of
the River Elbe and its tributaries". Besides the general assessment of the
influences of flood events on the sediment budget of river systems, the
following issues are currently under review:
- Study of early diagenic processes in fresh river sediments originating from
suspended particulate matter;
- Quantification of event-related (flood-flow/low-flow and summer/winter)
retention of material and contaminants or their release in the still-water zones
of rivers (e.g. groyne fields, impoundments, harbour basins, scours) and in the
actual floodplains;
- Balances of nutrient and contaminant deposits in groyne fields (being the
primary still-water zones in the Middle Elbe) over a longer river reach;
- Model-based coupling of data on event-related actual sedimentation,
erosion-stability of sedimented SPM, and the long-term sediment accumulation in
groyne fields;
- Changes in the bioavailability of sediment-bound contaminants under the
impact of hydrological, chemical, and microbiological processes.
The contact person of the Working Group "Sediments and quality status of
waters" is Dr René Schwartz of the Institute of Environmental Technology and
Energy Utilities of the Technical University Hamburg-Harburg (
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).
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Invitation to join 1st public General Assembly RISKBASE
 RISKBASE is a recently started Coordination Action (CA) project
under the 6th Framework Programme (FP) of the European Commission (EC). This CA
aims to review and synthesise the outcome of EC RTD FP projects, and other major
initiatives, related to integrated risk assessment-based management of the
water/sediment/soil system at the river-basin scale. The synthesis will lead to
the delivery of: 1) An overarching concept, generic approach and guiding
principles to integrated risk based management of river basins, 2)
Recommendations towards evolution and implementation of risk based management in
national and community policies and towards implementation in management, and 3)
A proposal for the European research agenda related to risk based
management.
The reviewing and synthesis will be done by leading European scientists and
representatives of major, European stakeholder groups, amongst others in a
series of public, thematic workshops and public General Assemblies.
The 1st public General Assembly (GA), entitled “Towards Risk-Based Management
of European River Basins” will be held in Seville, Spain at 24-26 January 2007.
This 1st GA aims to further set the scene for the activities in RISKBASE. The GA
programme includes key-note presentations from the perspective of River Basin
Management (ICPDR, EC WFD Pilot River Basin Network), European and national
policy development and implementation (EC DG Environment and UK Environment
Agency), NGO (WWF), Industry (Euro Copper) and several key-notes from top-level
scientist (a.o. a keynote from the EC FP6 Integrated Project ModelKey) and many
more.
The detailed GA programme as well as details on how to register (free of
charge) and book your hotel are available in a dedicated flyer that is available
through the recently launched RISKBASE website: www.riskbase.info. More
information can also be obtained through the RISKBASE coordinator, Jos Brils,
email:
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.
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Europe - Africa : 0 - 2
What is this all about? Well, we all know that football matches easily
attract public and hence policy makers attention. How opposite is this to
sediment management in Europe. The interest in sediment and its management is
not a ‘hot’ issue in Europe. You will seldom see a top-level European politician
or governmental representative participate in a sediment conference. Thus it
maybe an eye-opener for Europe to take notice of the overwhelming attention for
sediment management in Africa.
On 12-14 November 2006 the 1st UNESCO International Sediment Initiative (ISI)
Conference was held in Khartoum, Sudan, with a focus on the sediment management
issues at stake in the River Nile. The ISI conference opening session was
addressed by the President (!) of the Republic of Sudan: Field Marshal Omer Al
Bashir. Furthermore several concerned Ministers, a.o. of Water Resources, as
well as other top governmental representatives of Sudan and other states along
the Nile participated the conference.
The President of Sudan said in his opening presentation that “sediment is
important in life, but it also has its drawbacks on social and economic aspects
in our country. Our agricultural schemes and hydroelectric power sector are
drastically affected by sediment. This costs us a lot of money which is needed
for the rehabilitation of our infrastructure and the provision of basic services
for the affected areas”.
More than 300 experts and academicians from different parts of the world
attended the conference which aimed at ensuring sustainable sediment management,
in the context of sustainable water resources development at global scale. In
the afternoon of November 14th, the conference wrapped up its sessions and
issued the ‘Khartoum Declaration’. It declares that the forum added a new
dimension to the ongoing efforts of ISI and facilitated exchange of experiences
in research and best practices. It also aimed at ensuring sustainable sediment
management, in the context of sustainable water resources development at global
scale. The ISI conference participants call upon national governments, regional
and international organizations to allocate adequate funding and give
institutional support for sedimentation research, development and management,
emphasizing on the socio-economic impacts of sedimentation and value sediment as
a resource, cooperation among riparian countries on trans-boundary rivers for
integrated river basin management including sediment issues for the mutual
benefits of all stakeholders in a basin.
A more extended report on the ISI conference, including some pictures, can be
found at the ISI website. For more info on UNESCO ISI you may also contact
Jos Brils, the SedNet representative in the ISI Steer Group, e-mail:
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.
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MAPO Enhancing Research and Development Projects to find
Solutions to Struggle against various Marine Pollutions
MAPO is a Specific Support Action (SSA) funded by the EU Commission within
the 6th Framework Programme and is implemented by a Consortium of 13 partners
from 11 different European countries specialized in various marine pollution
relevant fields, including National Contact Points (NCPs), maritime agencies,
research institutions and consultants. Main goal of the project is to assist
European SMEs and other actors to become integrated in ongoing or planned RTD
projects, or to build new technological partnerships focusing on detection,
treatment, warning and prevention of all types of marine pollution.
MAPO is developing a European market and technology driven cartography of
SME-skills relevant for marine pollution, to help interested SMEs and current
and future project coordinators to easily identify and find right skills and
expertises as well as research partners and business opportunities, with the
ultimate goal to protect the European marine environment.
MAPO also
organises specific matchmaking events to introduce marine pollution relevant
European RTD programmes, to identify and launch first ideas that could lead to
project proposals, and to bring together SMEs and coordinators from current and
planned projects.
In addition, a major European matchmaking conference will
be organised when first calls for proposals of the 7th Framework Programme
(2007-2013) are launched presumably at the end of December 2006, to bring
together all relevant stakeholders in the field of marine pollutions, with
bilateral meetings organized in advance by MAPO.
To facilitate matchmaking and networking between SMEs on the one side, and
existing or prospective project or proposal coordinators on the other side, but
also to gain a wider audience, a project homepage (www.marine-pollutions.org) has been installed and coupled with
a mailing list, to introduce relevant SMEs, publish new project ideas, proposals
and partner requests, but also to inform about relevant news and events on
marine pollution (e. g. last calls for propsals, state-of-the-art research,
SME-relevant instruments in this field).
MAPO partners seek also to find
a wider public and so to impact and reach an audience far beyond science and
industry. For this reason, the project is oriented towards all European
citizens, as it deals not only with problems and obstacles encountered by SMEs
(like improvement of technologies, market access and gains of new markets), but
also by European people (like protection of coastal waters, marine ecosystems,
cultural and natural heritages).
In this context, MAPO partners also hope
that „environment defence organisations (NGOs)“ will join the project to take
concerns and expectations of European citizens into account, and consequently
help to provide, thanks to future European projects, an answer to most urgent
requests.
Full text of the MAPO article can be found on www.SedNet.org.
For more information, please contact the MAPO project coordinator Francoise
Duprant, TPI, Brest, France (
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),
or Dr. Rudolf Reuther, BfU, Germany (
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).
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UK Defra releases tender for Developing a UK Strategy for
managing contaminated marine sediments
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently released a
tender for developing a UK strategy for managing contaminated marine sediments.
Detailed information can be found at www.SedNet.org, there you will also find
the template with guidance for applications (RUUD). Individuals, contractors or
consultancies can tender for one or more of the tasks, however it is expected
that more than one company will be undertaking the different tasks.
The
closing date for applications is the 12th January 2007.
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Publications
Soil Erosion and Sediment Redistribution in River Catchments: Measurement,
Modelling and Management
Editors: P.N. Owens, National Soil Resources
Institute, Cranfield University, UK and A.J. Collins, Landcare Research,
Palmerston North, New Zealand
July 2006 – 352 pages – Hardback 978 0 85199
050 7
This book reviews the major achievements that have been made in soil erosion
and sediment redistribution research and management. It presents work from key
players in river basin soil erosion and sediment redistribution, from sources to
sinks, from field to riverbank, and from academia to policy and industry. It
examines the developments made in three themes – measurement, modelling and
management – and covers a variety of scales (in both time and space) and
geographical locations. The book concludes by identifying future requirements
for river management policies.
For more info about the contents see the flyer on www.SedNet.org
Biological assessment guidance for dredged material
Report of
EnviCom - WG 8, issued January 2006
This guidance describes the use of biological tests of dredged material to
distinguish sediments that pose minimal hazards from those that will require
special handling or treatment. Increasing interest in implementing
environmentally sustainable practices for developing and maintaining navigation
and port infrastructure has created a need for technical guidance on a range of
management issues. Responsible management of dredged material is a key element
of sustainable port management. The International Navigation Association (PIANC)
has provided technical leadership in developing guidance on the management of
dredged material. Guidance contained in "Management of Aquatic Disposal of
Dredged Material" (PIANC 1998) and "Environmental Guidelines for Aquatic,
Nearshore and Upland Confined Disposal Facilities for Contaminated Dredged
Material" (PIANC 2002) provide detailed information concerning environmental and
engineering aspects of managing clean and contaminated dredged material. The
guidance provided herein is the product of EnviCom Working Group 8.
More info: www.PIANC-AIPCN.org
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Call for Papers
23rd Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments and Water
Analysis, Site Assessment, Fate, Environmental and Human Risk Assessment,
Remediation and Regulation University of Massachusetts Amherst October 15-18,
2007
On behalf of the conference directors you are invited to submit an abstract
for consideration for presentation at the 23rd Annual International Conference
on Contaminated Soils, Sediments and Water. Please submit a one page abstract
containing: title, 300 word narrative; and for each author, name, degree,
affiliation, complete address, telephone number and email address. Please
indicate the presenting author and if this is a student presentation (see
below). Email submissions are preferred. Hard copies must be accompanied by a
disk and postmarked not later than February 8, 2006. Mail to Denise Leonard,
Environmental Health Sciences, N344 Morrill Science Center, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003. Faxed copies will not be accepted.
General
topics include: bioremediation, chemical analysis, cleanup standard setting,
environmental fate and modeling, hazard exposure and risk assessment, heavy
metals, hydrocarbon identification, innovative technologies, jet fuel
contamination, regulatory programs and policies, sediments, site
assessment/field sampling, soil chemistry, standard remedial
technologies/corrective actions, and case studies on any of the
above.
Special topics include: acid mine drainage, arsenic, biotechnology,
chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides (PCBs, etc.), contamination at military
installations, dioxin, ecological risk assessments, environmental forensics,
MECs, MTBE, mercury, perchlorate, phytoremediaton, radionuclides, railroad
sites, risk based cleanups (RBCA), state regulatory programs.
Student
Presentation Award Program Through the generosity of Adventus Americas and with
matching funds from the Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments and
Water, the annual Adventus Americas Award for the Best Student Presentations
will be offered. A $1000 cash award will be given to each of three students who,
in the opinion of the judges, have made the best poster or platform
presentations at this year’s conference. The judges, made up of representatives
from Adventus Americas and the Conference Science Advisory Board, will judge the
students on originality, organization of their presentation, how they
communicate to the audience, their research techniques and the overall quality
of the presentation. The awards will be presented to the winning students at
this years Conference luncheon on Thursday, October 18, 2007. If you are a
student presenter, please indicate on your submitted abstract.
More
information is available at www.UMassSoils.com or via Denise Leonard,
Conference Coordinator, email
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Navigation and the EU Water Framework Directive
Seminar on
31 January 2007 in Brussels, organised by PIANC
Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is now well-advanced
and our understanding of its implications for the navigation sector is
improving.
From 2007 the WFD implementation process will focus less on the
production of guidance at EU level and more on action at river basin level –
notably the preparation of river basin management plans and agreement on the
programmes of measures required to meet “good status”. 2007 may also bring some
clarification with respect to the priority substances daughter directive, and
possibly the links between the WFD and the Marine Strategy Directive. There are
also questions, e.g. how will sediments be dealt with and what will be the
implications of the WFD for new development proposals?
An important part of the conference on 31 January will be a trio of workshops
dealing specifically with three of the most important WFD issues facing the
navigation sector:
- The relationship between the WFD and EU Maritime Strategey
- The role of sediment management in river basin management planning, and
- The need for practical solutions to hydromorphological issues.
You can register via www.pianc-aipcn.org/wfd2007. Deadline for registration is 17th
January 2007.
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Conference on Water Status Monitoring under the European
Water Framework Directive
12-14 March 2007, Lille, France
This conference will review chemical and ecological status monitoring of
aquatic ecosystems in the context of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). There
will be a policy session (covering ecological status and chemical monitoring of
the Common Implementation Strategy of the WFD), a science session (with input
from related EU-funded RTD projects), and an industry session (spreading the
technology - perspectives on science and technology integration into WFD
implementation).
In the light of the 2006-2007 milestone on water monitoring,
this conference will bring together key actors from the water sector, with focus
on science and policy interactions.
The conference is timed to share
information on science-policy interactions related to chemical/ecological water
monitoring.
For more info: www.WFDLille2007.org.
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More upcoming events
22-25 January 2007: 4th Annual International Conference on Remediation
of Contaminated Sediments. Savannah, GA. Sponsored and organized by Battelle.
The call for abstracts has been made, and submissions are due in June 2006. To
request a brochure or get information about being an exhibitor or sponsor, send
an e-mail to
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or call 800-783-6338.
www.battelle.org/sedimentscon
24-26 January 2007: Towards Risk-Based Management of European River
Basins, 1st public General Assembly of the RISKBASE project, in Seville, Spain.
More info at www.riskbase.info.
31 January 2007: PIANC Conference: Navigating
the Water Framework Directive. Brussels. More info at www.pianc-aipcn.org/wfd2007
12-14 March 2007: Conference on Water Status Monitoring under the
European Framework Directive, Lille, France. More info at www.wfdlille2007.org
15-20 April 2007: There are three sessions on sediment within the
Hydrological Sciences programme at this years European Geosciences Union (EGU)
general assembly in Vienna, Austria:
- Session HS20: Technological potential for assessing soil erosion and
sediment transport in ungauged river basins
Conveners: J. Bathurst, D.
Rickenmann and P. van Oevelen
- Session HS21: Harmonisation and standardisation of transboundary sediment
activities
Conveners: W. Summer, P.N. Owens and W. Zhang
- Session HS24: Sediment tracing and risk assessment for sediment
management
Conveners: E. Petticrew, P.N. Owens and B. Westrich
For further information and a call for abstracts, see this link.
For further details on the EGU 2007 general assembly,
see:
meetings.copernicus.org/egu2007/
27 May - 1 June 2007: WODCON XVIII: Global Dredging - Congress and
Exhibition
Wyndham Palace Hotel, Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA.
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/ www.westerndredging.org
7-10 May 2007: 9th International In-Situ and On-Site Bioremediation
Symposium, Baltimore, MD, sponsored and organized by Battelle. Abstracts due in
summer 2006. To receive the call for abstracts, request other program
information, and get information about being an exhibitor or sponsor, send an
e-mail to
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or call 800-783-6338.
www.battelle.org/biosymp
13-17 May 2007: Coastal Sediments 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Conference theme: Coastal Engineering and Science in Cascading Spatial and
Temporal Scales. Deadline for receipt of abstracts is May 15.
www.asce.org/conferences/cs07
1-4 August 2007: 10th International Symposium on River Sedimentation.
Moscow, Russia.
isrs10.hdro-msu.ru/en
15-18 October 2007: 23rd Annual International Conference on Soils,
Sediments and Water Analysis, Site Assessment, Fate, Environmental and Human
Risk Assessment, Remediation and Regulation, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, USA. More info at www.UMassSoils.com
8-9 November 2007, CEDA Dredging Days, Conference and
Exhibition
Ahoy' Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Call for Papers will be issued
in the fall of 2006. Contact:
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www.dredging.org
Miscellaneous workshops throughout the year on Environmental Forensics,
organized by the International Society of Environmental Forensics. See www.environmentalforensics.org for more info.
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Next SedNet Newsletter will be published in MARCH 2007.
SedNet secretariat:
Mrs. Marjan Euser
TNO Built Environment and Geosciences
Laan van Westenenk 501
P.O. Box 342
NL-7300 AH Apeldoorn
The Netherlands
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