Sediment Quality Triad (SQT) Assessment Survey of Lavaca and Matagorda Bays

Sediment Quality Triad (SQT) assessment surveys are a common tool for ecosystem assessments to indicate bay health. The triad consists of sediment chemistry, toxicity testing, and benthic community structure and diversity. Sediment contaminant concentrations indicate chemical dose, toxicity tests indicate biological responses, and benthic diversity indicates ecological responses. Together the three measures indicate ecosystem health. The current project was performed in Lavaca Bay and Matagorda Bay because there are industrial discharges into the bays and a legacy Superfund site with mercury contamination.