Interactions between sediments and water

The important role of sediment in aquatic systems has garnered much attention in the last few decades from both an applied and a research perspective. Recognition of the environmental influence of both sediment and sediment-associated chemical (nutrients and contaminants) transfers and storage on aquatic ecosystems has generated much concern within both research and regulatory agencies. Studies have been undertaken by a variety of individuals in a wide range of disciplines as the environmental problems are found in rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and oceans and affect the biological, chemical, physical and social components of the system. Since 1976 an interdisciplinary group of international researchers have met tri-annually to share their knowledge about sediment water interactions. The International Association for Sediment Water Science held its ninth symposium on the Interactions Between Sediments and Water in May of 2002 in Banff, Canada. This paper presents the highlights and a summary of that symposium.