Sediment-contaminant interactions and transport: a new perspective

This paper investigates the sediment structural controls over the transport and compartmentalization of Cd, Cu and Pb within flocculated sediments. The compartmentalization of contaminants within flocculated sediment particles demonstrates the complex underlying biogeochemical controls of sediment contaminant interactions. The aims and objectives of the paper are to demonstrate (a) how the structure of suspended sediment particles will influence the transfer of metals within aquatic systems and (b) how the internal structure/composition of the particles promotes compartmentalization of metals in a selective manner.