Sediment challenges and opportunities due to climate change and sustainable development
Résumé
We are glad to introduce the selection of topics presented at the 12th international SedNet conference organized in partnership with the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) and the Hauts-de-France Region, which was originally planned in Lille, France, but due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it was instead organized online from 28 June to 2 July 2021. The event was held in parallel with the 7th International Symposium on Sediment Management (I2SM) conference and was attended by 275 participants with access to both conferences. In addition to the classical SedNet sessions, such as sediment quality assessment, sediment management, and circular economy, the SedNet 2021 conference was dedicated to climate change and emerging pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and microplastics, which are issues of global concerns. No less concerning is the global problem of sediment starvation due to dam constructions. The wider public and decision-makers are often unaware of the potential risk connected to sediment starvation such as coastal erosion, the sinking of deltas, salinization of groundwater, and changes in nutrient contribution. These issues were covered under the SedNet session “Impacts of Disturbed Sediment Continua and Mitigation Measures”. The session that probably brought together all issues related to sediments in the most positive way is “(Re)Using Sediment to Create, Keep or Restore Habitats.”