title: Comparative analysis of two weight-of-evidence methodologies for integrated sediment quality assessment.
abstract: The results of sediment quality assessment by two different weight-of-evidence methodologies were compared. Both methodologies used the same dataset but as criteria and procedures were different, the results emphasized different aspects of sediment contamination. One of the methodologies integrated the data by means of a multivariate analysis and suggested bioavailability of contaminants and their spatial distribution. The other methodology, used in the dredged material management framework recently proposed in Spain, evaluated sediment toxicity in general by assigning categories. Despite the differences in the interpretation and presentation of results, the methodologies evaluated sediment risk similarly, taking into account chemical concentrations and toxicological effects. Comparison of the results of different approaches is important to define their limitations and thereby avoid implications of potential environmental impacts from different management options, as in the case of dredged material risk assessment. Consistent results of these two methodologies emphasized validity and robustness of the integrated, weight-of-evidence, approach to sediment quality assessment. Limitations of the methodologies were discussed.
authors.affiliation: UNESCO UNITWIN/WiCop, Physical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain. Electronic address: alla.khosrovyan@uca.es.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khosrovyan
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Costera, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC), Avda. República Saharaui s/n, Campus Río San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. Electronic address: araceli.rodriguezromero@icman.csic.es.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Romero
authors.affiliation: CEDEX Centro de Estudios de Puertos y Costas, Antonio López 81, 28026 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: manuel.antequera@cedex.es.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antequera Ramos
authors.affiliation: UNESCO UNITWIN/WiCop, Physical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain. Electronic address: angel.valls@uca.es.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: DelValls
authors.affiliation: UNESCO UNITWIN/WiCop, Physical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain. Electronic address: inmaculada.riba@uca.es.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Riba
mesh_terms: D048908:Aliivibrio fischeri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D033304:Amphipoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D047328:Paracentrotus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011077:Polychaeta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013030:Spain; D018675:Toxicity Tests
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Dredged material; Elutriate; Integrated assessment; Sediment; Toxicity; WOE