Contaminated Sediments
Many of Minnesota's waterways are polluted with nutrients and/or toxic chemicals. These pollutants can attach to suspended particulates in the water, and subsequently settle out to the bottom mud (sediment). Through complex chemical, physical and biological interactions, these contaminants may be further transformed and transported to other parts of the aquatic system. At elevated concentrations, contaminated sediments contribute to many impaired uses in lakes, rivers and harbors, including fish advisories, habitat impairments and restrictions on dredging.
Contaminated sediments may also pose an unacceptable risk to aquatic organisms, aquatic-dependent wildlife and humans. Contaminants that build up in the food chain are of particular concern, especially mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and organochlorine pesticides. Endocrine disrupting compounds and other emerging contaminants, like flame retardants, are also being detected in Minnesota sediments.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of ubiquitous urban contaminants that are of particular concern in stormwater pond sediments and many Superfund sites. For more information about PAHs, refer to the report on Contamination of Stormwater Pond Sediments by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Minnesota. The Role of Coal Tar-based Sealcoat Products as a Source of PAHs. In addition, a 2012 feature article on “Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealcoat and PAHs: Implications for the Environment, Human Health, and Stormwater Management” is freely available from the journal Environmental Science and Technology. This article was jointly authored by researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey, MPCA, University of New Hampshire, City of Austin, TX, and Baylor University.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is responsible for the assessment, management and remediation, or cleanup, of contaminated sediment sites in Minnesota. Staff from several divisions within the MPCA are involved in this effort. The goals are to restore water to unimpared use and to achieve applicable water quality standards.
The MPCA does not have sediment quality standards. Sediment quality targets (SQTs), adopted for use in the St. Louis River Area of Concern, can be used throughout the state as benchmark values for making comparisons to surficial sediment chemistry measurements. For more information about the SQTs, refer to the report on Guidance for the Use and Application of Sediment Quality Targets for the Protection of Sediment-dwelling Organisms in Minnesota.
The MPCA is using a watershed approach to involve the public and other interested stakeholders in decision-making processes about contaminated sediments. We assess our progress at contaminated sediment sites through the use of several sediment quality indicators and other performance measurements. This enables us to focus our efforts on activities that achieve the best environmental results.
This page does not include links to commercial businesses or most environmental organizations. Many of the documents on this web site are PDF files and require Acrobat Reader for viewing.
For general information about contaminated sediments, contact:
Judy Crane, Ph.D., Research Scientist 3
Environmental Analysis and Outcomes Division
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Rd. N.
Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194
Phone: 651-757-2293 or toll-free at 800-657-3864
Fax: 651-297-7709
E-mail: judy.crane@state.mn.us
For information about dredge material disposal, refer to the MPCA's Dreged Materials Management web page or contact:
Emily Schnick, Pollution Control Specialist Senior
Industrial Division
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Rd. N.
Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194
Phone: 651-757-2699 or toll-free at 800-657-3864
Fax: 651-296-8717
E-mail: emily.schnick@state.mn.us
For information about stormwater ponds and constructed wetlands, refer to the MPCA's Stormwater web page or contact:
Brian Livingston, Supervisor
Municipal Division
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Rd. N.
Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194
Phone: 651-757-2532 or toll-free at 800-657-3864
Fax: 651-297-8324
E-mail: brian.livingston@state.mn.us
