Sediment could provide habits and food for aquatic wildlife and plays a crucial role in the cycles of nutrients in the aquatic ecosystem. Nevertheless, pollutants released from industries would contaminate the aquatic sediments. Contaminated sediments might directly or indirectly affect fishery products which we consume daily. Therefore, suitable ways are needed in managing sediments. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of the Executive Yuan had declared some regulations to manage qualities of sediments. In order to make clear of sediment quality in Taiwan, it is necessary to assist competent authorities to detect and report sediment qualities and further to carry out management strategy and treatment technology evaluation; therefore, the EPA of the Executive Yuan offered the opportunity (this project) to study those issues. In this project, the main works were (1) assisting competent authorities to detect and report sediment qualities by reviewing their sampling projects and results, (2) developing strategies for contaminated sediment treatment, disposal and reuse, (3) re-evaluating the strategies for managing contaminated sediemnts in water bodies, (4) managing and maintaining the data system for reporting sediment quality analysis results. Achievements of this project are (1) helping EPA to review sediment sampling projects and/or results on 241 waterbodies, improving Sediment Quality on-line Report and Management System; (2) Compilation of managing strategies for the treatment and disposal of contaminated sediments from other countries. By reviewing programmes about disposition and re-use of contaminated soils from the field, the similar programmes could be suitable for contaminated sediments for removing from the field and beneficial use assessment process. By analyzing the sources, pathways and receptors of sediment pollution and investigating priority region, related administrative control measures and suggestions and developed. The control measures are planned to be carried out in phases. In this project, we also set up advisory consultants for the competent authorities to contact with when having qustions in reporting sampling projects and in uploading results.

sediment, management strategy, pollution investigation