Dredging operations and other port activities may damage the marine environment by re-mobilising organic and heavy metal pollutants stored within older sediments deposited in channels and harbour basins. These sediments tend to absorb chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Cost-effective techniques are needed for surveying, sampling and modelling such sediments, as an input to dredging management and the identification of the most appropriate sediment treatment and removal techniques.