Solid adsorbents potential organic contamination

Contaminant transfer to bed sediments represents another significant transfer mechanism, especially in cases where contaminants are in the form of suspended solids or are dissolved hydrophobic substances that can become adsorbed by organic matter in bed sediments. For the purposes of this chapter, sediments and water are considered part of a single system because of their complex interassociation. Surface water-bed sediment transfer is reversible bed sediments often act as temporary repositories for contaminants and gradually rerelease contaminants to surface waters. Sorbed or settled contaminants are frequently transported with bed sediment migration or flow. Transfer of sorbed contaminants to bottomdwelling, edible biota represents a fate pathway potentially resulting in human exposure. Where this transfer mechanism appears likely, the biotic fate of contaminants should be assessed. 

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