On-Site Analyses as a Decision Support Tool for Dredging and Sustainable Sediment Management

Bruno Lemière, Valérie Laperche, Arjan Wijdeveld, Marco Wensveen, Richard Lord, Alasdair Hamilton, Laurence Haouche, Mathieu Henry, Joe Harrington, Branislav Batel and Pascal Lehette
Additional contact information
Bruno Lemière: BRGM, 45060 Orléans, France
Valérie Laperche: BRGM, 45060 Orléans, France
Arjan Wijdeveld: Deltares, P.O. Box 177, 2600 MH Delft, The Netherlands
Marco Wensveen: Port of Rotterdam, Postbus 6622, 3002 AP Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Richard Lord: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK
Alasdair Hamilton: Scottish Canals, Canal House, Applecross Street, Glasgow G4 9SP, UK
Laurence Haouche: Institut Scientifique de Service Public, Zoning A. Schweitzer, Rue de la Platinerie, 7340 Colfontaine, Belgium
Mathieu Henry: Centre Terre et Pierre, Chaussée d’Antoing 55, 7500 Tournai, Belgium
Joe Harrington: Sustainable Infrastructure Research and Innovation Group, School of Building and Civil Engineering, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland
Branislav Batel: Sustainable Infrastructure Research and Innovation Group, School of Building and Civil Engineering, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland
Pascal Lehette: Institut Scientifique de Service Public, Zoning A. Schweitzer, Rue de la Platinerie, 7340 Colfontaine, Belgium

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-23

Abstract: Beneficial use of dredged sediments, either in harbours or waterways, is based on their potential as alternative resources. Such sediments can be considered as bulk materials for industrial needs, which is predicated on their current waste status or meeting end-of-waste constraints. They also can be an integral part of beneficial use projects using sediments as a bulk component, including civil engineering and landscaping. This is particularly important for beneficial use projects focusing on climate change effects mitigation, such as flood protection works, coastline defence or littoral urban areas redevelopment. When dredged sediment is used as a bulk material, its acceptability is based on an assumed homogeneity of its properties. On-site analyses allow pre-dredging detailed mapping at a denser scale than laboratory ones; monitoring dredgings during operations and during processing; and continuous control of their properties at the implementation site. This is currently possible only for a selection of inorganic analytes. When dredgings are part of a larger beneficial use project, on-site analyses facilitate first the baseline survey and the sediment source characterisation. Continuous monitoring of the sediment load allows a fast detection of contamination hot spots and their adequate management. Site survey via on-site instruments allow end users and communities to check themselves the contamination level, hence acceptability is better. On-site dredged sediment analyses monitor both building properties and environmental compliance; soil and sediment analyses at receiving sites; surface and groundwater, either for impact assessment or for monitoring works. On-site instruments provide immediate results and allow dynamic or adaptive sampling strategies, as well as allowing operational decisions in real time. Confirmation by laboratory analyses is required for validation, but on-site sample screening for laboratory analyses improves their efficiency. The present paper was developed on the basis of an earlier presentation, which it developed and updated extensively.

Keywords: contaminated sediments; waterways; harbour; dredging; beneficial use; field analysis; portable XRF (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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