SedNet recently prepared a paper indicating sediment management knowledge gaps related to the Water Framework Directive implementation challenges. The paper also proposes a way forward to bridge these gaps through EC FP7 research activities. At 8 February 2007 this paper was presented in Brussels to Dr. Costanza Calzolari (EC DG Research) and Dr. Philippe Quevauviller (EC DG Environment), who indicated to be willing to further disseminate these recommendations to their colleagues.

SedNet proposes research activities aimed at (further) improving the understanding of the role of sediment in the functioning of the natural sediment-soil-water system in river basins with a specific focus on: 1) the relation between sediment contamination and its actual impact on the functioning of ecosystems (ecological status), and 2) the combined impact of sediment quantity and quality on the ecological status.

Furthermore, SedNet proposes research dedicated to study the effectiveness, efficacy and efficiency of measures aimed to improve the ecological status. A key question here is how to differentiate the effect of measures from natural variability, specifically over a long time frame?

Click here for the paper.