Sediment Characterization and Remediation

Over the past decade, sediment issues have been elevated to the same level as upland contamination issues. Whether redeveloping our blighted waterfronts, assessing the health of waterways, or developing water quality management programs, sediment issues are almost always an important factor.

However, sediments, whether freshwater or marine, are by nature difficult to deal with from a logistical perspective. In addition, disposal of contaminated sediments can be costly. But through careful planning, experience, and use of the most efficient and practical technologies, even the most complex sediment issues can become manageable.

Premier offers a full range of environmental consulting services related to the sampling, characterization, disposal, and remediation of sediments. These services have been performed for private companies, port and harbor authorities, and dredging contractors, as well as public agencies. The following is a list of sediment-related services we provide:

  • Sediment Sampling
  • Chemical and Biological Testing
  • Regulatory Negotiation
  • Geophysical Surveys
  • Permitting
  • Dredging and Maintenance Management and Consulting
  • Evaluation of Disposal and/or Remedial Alternatives
  • Remedial Design
  • Construction Oversight
  • Sediment Quality Database Design and Management
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The following sections outline Premier's general approach to sediment characterization and remediation. Premier's staff has extensive experience managing large, multi-task and multi-phase, interdisciplinary projects. Sediment projects are generally no different from any other environmental project when it comes to project staffing, budgeting and reporting. However, because of the myriad biological, chemical and physical processes which occur in aquatic environments, sediment projects typically require an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions for the issues at hand. At Premier, we pride ourselves on our ability to:

  1. Identify the necessary company and subcontractor resources to do the job,
  2. Tackle issues head-on by identifying the main problem areas and prioritizing them, and
  3. Find innovative and—equally important—cost effective solutions to the identified issues