Introduction

Sediment pollution and accumulation in harbours are major environmental issues and studies that advance their solutions are essential for harbour sustainability. This book provides the first comprehensive assessment of chemical pollution in sediments and sediment accumulation rates in the tropical Tema Harbour (Ghana).

Assessment Approach

This book contributes to improving our ability to use an integrated approach involving sediment chemistry and bioassays in one comprehensive assessment of the contamination state of a tropical coastal environment. Whole-sediment toxicity bioassays using the amphipod Corophium volutator and the polychaete Hediste diversicolor as bioindicators were combined with data on concentrations of total metal and metal binding forms, radionuclides, organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bottom sediments as well as total metal concentrations in settling silt-clay particles collected by sediment traps to characterise the hazard, risk and impact of sediments from the tropical coastal Tema Harbour.