Pollutants often stay locked in sediment bonds for many years, but a number of unseen forces can trigger their release, including:

• Resuspension of contaminated sediment particles in water.
• Burrowing by worm-like bioturbators. View animation
• Movements of groundwater up through sediment layers.
• Diffusion of pollutants or pollutant-laden organic matter.

You have completed the Introduction. To continue this primer, select the link to "Capping Basics" in the navigation bar to the left.

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