Disposal at sea marine sediment guideline for cadmium: Review and recommendations for the British Columbia coast

Material approved for ocean disposal under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) must meet the criteria in the Disposal at Sea Regulations, 2001 and the Interim Contaminant Testing Guidelines (ICTG). The finalization of the guideline for cadmium (0.6 mug g-1 dry weight) is a priority issue by Environment Canada's Disposal at Sea Program.; Sediment samples collected during three sampling events off the British Columbia coast were examined with regards to the risks, if any, posed to environmental and human health. Geographically, no pattern in cadmium exceedance of the ICTG was apparent. Preliminary bioassay testing does not support the concept that toxicity is related to increased concentrations of cadmium.; Many inlets on the British Columbia coast contain background cadmium concentrations higher than the regulated limit and ICTG; therefore, more appropriate guideline level could be developed to take into account natural cadmium levels.