Development of an artificial “living” sediment to study the effects of metal contamination in Antarctic marine ecosystems.

Project aim

Shallow nearshore marine habitats are rare in the Antarctic but human activities have led to their contamination. Preliminary studies suggest the charcteristics of Antarctica nearshore sediments are different to elsewhere and that contaminant partitioning and absorption, and hence bioavailability, will also be very different. Predictive exposure-dose –response (effects) models need to be established to provide the theoretical basis for the development of sediment quality guidelines to guide remediation activities. Such a model will be possible through the development of an artificial "living" sediment, which can be used to understand physical and chemical properties that control partitioning and absorption of contaminants.