SOCOTEC is Supporting Sullied Sediments Project in Reducing Chemicals in our Waterways

‘Sullied Sediments’ is a €4 million Europe-wide project, led by the University of Hull, to enable regulators and water managers to make better decisions with regard to sediment management, removal and disposal. Currently, managing authorities do not have the tools to assess sediments accurately and cannot, therefore, make confident decisions regarding the level, location or impact of pollutants.

As the UK’s leading provider of testing, inspection and compliance services, with a wealth of experience in marine sediment analysis, SOCOTEC has been chosen by the ‘Sullied Sediments’ Partnership for a three year agreement to provide research into the analysis of sediments for metals, Dioxins, hydrocarbons and nutrients. As well as this, SOCOTEC will be providing consultancy on the methods for Watch List chemical analysis.

Watch list chemicals, such as the contraceptive pill and other pharmaceutical drugs including triclosan and diclofenac, are entering the waterways as a result of day-to-day activities but are not subjected to EU monitoring laws. Shown to be harmful to wildlife, the partnership aims to reduce the amount of chemicals entering the water system by raising awareness about what is being released into the environment.

Paul Walker, senior development and technical specialist, Specialist Chemistry Division of SOCOTEC, commented: “This project puts SOCOTEC at the forefront of analytical research into the analysis of sediments. We have a whole wealth of experience and history in marine sediment analysis, and it’s a great opportunity to support the Sullied Sediments project in taking those steps to regulate our waters and limit the impact of pollutants on the environment.”

‘Sullied Sediments’ has been co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme with a grant of 2.043.413 € with equivalent match funding from the partners involved. The project partnership includes public, private and third sector organisations based in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The project will see work carried out at nine sites that have a previous history of sediment problems, in the North Sea Region’s Elbe, Humber and Scheldt river catchments.