What Are the Common Contaminants Found in Sediments?
Common sediment contaminants include heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium; organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. These contaminants can have varying toxic effects, depending on their concentration, chemical form, and the sensitivity of the exposed organisms.
