Environmental risk assessment of surface water and sediments in Copenhagen harbour

The environmental risk assessment of Holmen, a former naval base, included characterisation of the sediments with regard to pollution with xenobiotics, heavy metals, nutrients and bacteria, and ecotoxicity. A simple hydraulic model was established, and the release of substances from the sediment to the water was assessed. Sediment biotests with Corophium volutator and porewater biotests with Skeletonema costatum and Acartia tonsa were conducted. The sediment was characterised as strongly contaminated in the major parts of the investigated area. Based on the application of the acid volatile sulfide method it was concluded that practically none of the heavy metals were bioavailable. Both the sediment and the porewater from a number of stations were toxic. The toxicity did not appear to be attributable to the content of heavy metals, more likely to other contaminants. Furthermore, the sediment, which has served as a sink for accumulation of contaminants over a period of many years, also may constitute a source of contamination due to potential release of heavy metals and xenobiotics from the sediment to the water in some areas. The release appears to give rise to concentrations above the EU Water Quality Objectives at some stations. (C) 1998 IAWQ. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.