2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) This project has an objective to study how ARS-manufactured carbons can be used to adsorb heavy metals and chlorinated organics in contaminated sediments. This adsorption may cause the contaminants to be less available to biota. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) ARS will test ARS-manufactured activated carbons on surrogate wastewaters. The "best" carbons will be forwarded to the collaborator at University of Maryland. The collaborator will test the activated carbons in a sediment matrix for adsorption capabilities and for reduced contaminant bioavailability. 3.Progress Report During conference calls with cooperator, we decided which contaminants and the concentration levels to be tested. A selection of ARS carbons will be screened for adsorptive capacity. Progress was monitored through conference calls.