Quality and Disposal of Dredged Sediments from Tidal Deltas in Subtropical Bays in Southern Brazil.

In order to measure the contamination of dredged and beach sediments and the applicability of sediment quality guidelines in a wet subtropical region of southern Brazil, the areas surrounding both the Paranaguá and Babitonga estuaries were studied, including their harbour zones and adjacent beaches. Investigation of the sampled sediments comprised optical and electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and physicochemical and toxicological analyses. Additionally, data provided by the harbours administrations on dredged volumes, sedimentology, and coastal dynamics were compared.