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The Influence of Contaminated Sediments on Sustainable Use of the Planet

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Contaminated Sediments

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC5,volume 5T))

Abstract

Sustainable use of the planet requires systems-level thinking and data management over large temporal and spatial spans. The 20th century was an era of specialization; the 21st century is almost certain to be an era of integration, but this integration will require robust data about contaminated sediments and other components. Moreover, all essential information must be in a form that is understandable to and operational for decision-makers. Sediments are an important part of the physical subsystem that humans propose to use indefinitely (i.e., for an estimated 15 billion years). A living subsystem is closely associated with this physical subsystem. Humans must modify the management of this subsystem to protect the integrity of the geophysical, ecological, climatic, and cyclic (e.g., hydrologic) components of the planet's biospheric life support system if they expect to use it sustainably. Human requirements from natural capital (i.e., living systems) and the services it provides must not exceed the capabilities of the resource. To this end, human economics and resource use must mesh with the economics of nature. Since resources are finite on a finite planet, human activities must be consistent with the ability of Earth's biospheric life support systems to absorb the effects of human activities. Sediments offer an excellent microcosm to develop this mutualistic relationship. A broad systems-level approach (i.e., the role of the sediment subsystem in the biospheric life support system) is a critical need for decision-makers. Some factors essential to meeting the needs of decision-makers involved with sustainable use of the planet are included.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    John Cairns Jr.

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  1. John Cairns Jr.
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Correspondence to John Cairns Jr. .

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Tarek A. Kassim Damià Barceló

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Cairns, J. (2008). The Influence of Contaminated Sediments on Sustainable Use of the Planet. In: Kassim, T.A., Barceló, D. (eds) Contaminated Sediments. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 5T. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_5_110

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