The Need for New Concepts in Risk Management of Sediments

Being part of a highly dynamic system, contaminated sediments are especially in need of an integrated management approach. Due to change in importance from source to diffuse pollution and the variety of chemical substances in the environment, different scientific fields need to cooperate and incorporate their data in a common risk assessment scheme. Public perception of risk that is associated with sediments and with chemical data is low while the acceptance of ecotoxicological data with decision makers is often missing. A growing demand of the public to be involved in decision processes and informed about environmental problems demands a change of methods and concepts in the future. Necessity of an integration of risk assessment and management procedures has been suggested in order to increase the efficiency of the process and the early involvement of public concern. As the confidence in experts' opinions decreases, a strong need for communication with and transparency for all involved parties arises.