Houston-Galveston Navigation Channels, Texas: entrance channel contaminant assessment

The purpose of this report was the examination of the potential environmental impact from the disposal of dredge material from the Houston Ship Channel. Bulk sediment analyses for metals and appropriate assays and bioaccumulation studies were performed. The examination consisted of: reviewing the existing physical, chemical, and biological data; evaluation of marine quality criteria compliance using a numerical mixing model and an evaluation of the potential for benthic impacts using calculations of theoretical bioaccumulation potential; and conducting suspended particulate phase bioassays, solid phase bioassays, bioaccumulation studies, and other special studies as needed.