sediment quality guidelines

Sediment quality guidelines are standards used to assess whether the natural or contaminated sediments in water bodies are safe or harmful to ecosystems and human health. They set specific concentration levels of pollutants, such as heavy metals or chemicals, that are considered acceptable or risky. If sediment contaminant levels exceed these guidelines, it may indicate potential risks to aquatic life or humans who come into contact with or consume resources from the contaminated area. These guidelines help regulators and scientists monitor and manage sediment quality to protect environmental health and ensure safe water ecosystems.