Sediment dynamics in relation to sediment trend monitoring

This report discusses the underlying processes of sediment dynamics in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and several estuaries in order to indicate the broad range of

conditions that exist within the ICES Area. It is important to be aware of these processes when designing monitoring programmes in order to ensure that the data collected can be the foundation of a more meaningful interpretation. This

introductory section does not seek to define which monitoring strategies should be used, but demonstrates that it is necessary to consider the sediment dynamics present in the area being studied when designing a monitoring programme. Time‐trends in contaminant, nutrient, and carbon concentrations in sediments are

usually inferred from sediment cores or from surface sediments taken during repeated sampling exercises. Physical, chemical, and biological processes, all components of sediment dynamics, can affect the concentration of contaminants.