What Are the Implications of Sediment Contamination?
Sediment contamination can lead to several ecological and human health issues. Ecologically, it can disrupt aquatic food webs, reduce biodiversity, and affect ecosystem services. For humans, exposure to contaminated sediments can occur through consumption of polluted fish and water, leading to health risks such as neurological disorders and cancer. The persistence and bioaccumulation of certain pollutants, like mercury and PCBs, underscore the importance of monitoring and managing sediment quality.