Sediment simulation ecosystem

Embedded in the circulation model, it provides a coupled physical-biogeochemical model of the Baltic Sea ecosystem as an example application. Several applications of the model system are discussed, covering process studies, such as currents in the western Baltic, river plumes, and sediment transport, but also long-term simulations of the ecosystem dynamics. 

In ecological effects assessment, there are many problems involved, eg, it is often observed that laboratory test data over estimate more commonly than underestimate toxicity, because laboratory toxicity tests are conducted in filtered water of low suspended solids eg, soil particles) and low organic matter content, which play an important role in natural environments. Therefore, test methods including multi-species and simulating environmental conditions, ie, more sophisticated ecosystems or field test methods should be developed for determination of more reliable assessment factors (AFs), in spite of its difficulties. It will be necessary to develop both aquatic toxicology methods and terrestrial or sediment ecotoxicology. 

---