To design and build synthetic structures on the seabed or in the coastal zone in a safe and environmentally responsible way, there are numerous factors engineers, geologists, and marine and environmental scientists must be aware of. These are factors affecting the sediment/water interface, the sediment column on the continental shelf and slope, and the abyssal plains. Armed with this information, these professionals are best able to evaluate potential environmental hazards. This book provides a comprehensive survey of these factors and also discusses marine in situ investigation, drilling, soil sampling, and relevant laboratory testing technologies.