Soft sediment shores
Fine sands and mud are found in areas sheltered fromwave action, including estuaries, and tend to be highly biologically productive (Figure 8). They often support large populations of migrating birds and indigenous sediment dwelling invertebrates, including bivalves, and are also nursery areas for some species.
While fine sediments are not as readily impacted as other substrates, oil can become incorporated through flocculation with sediment stirred up by storm activity or penetration through worm burrows and open plant stems. Pollutants that do penetrate fine sediments can persist for many years, increasing the likelihood of longer-term effects.