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Risk Assessment

Marine Sediment Screening Benchmarks

Hierarchy for Selection of Marine Sediment Benchmarks

  • Preference was given to benchmarks based on chronic direct exposure, non-lethal endpoint studies designed to be protective of sensitive species
  • Values derived by consensus-based evaluation of multiple studies for marine or estuarine waters were given first priority
  • Values derived by statistical-based evaluation (TEL) of multiple studies for marine or estuarine waters were given second priority
  • Equilibrium partitioning values were selected for contaminants with 2.0< log Kow <6.0 if empirical values based on multiple studies were not available
  • Absent consensus or equilibrium partitioning values, single study toxicity values were selected
  • Absent a value in the table, a freshwater sediment value can be used if available

Author: Bruce Pluta (Region 3)
Date: July 2006
Description: Screening benchmarks for marine sediment in Region 3
Keywords: marine, sediment, screening benchmarks, risk assessment, Superfund, Region 3, water, ERAGS, SLERA

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