Mobility of Soil Contaminants in an Ecosystem of Trees Growing on Dredged Material - The Broekpolder (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether or not plant (Cyperus esculentus) and earthworm (Eisenia foetida) bioassays applied to sediments adequately predict the long-term environmental impacts of disposed contaminated dredged material in upland sites. The information gained from this research may be used either to validate and/or modify existing bioassay procedures or to develop new procedures so that the long-term effects may be predicted prior to commencing dredging and disposal activities. The results of this project may also provide useful information for site vegetation management in minimising the movement of contaminants into the food chain.