Characterizing Harbor Dredged Sediment for Sustainable Reuse as Construction Material

Abstract

An unprecedented rate of construction has profoundly increased the risk of scarcity of natural resources and threatened ecosystem sustainability. To establish an effective sustainable development policy, it is imperative to promote the use of responsible production channels, including waste recycling. Reuse of harbor dredged sediment is commonly investigated as a valuable alternative to non-renewable natural resources needed for construction. Sediment characterization is decisive in the valorization process, aiming to identify potential recycling paths. Existing research efforts, however, have rarely investigated case studies in developing countries. Moreover, they have tended to focus on the technical aspects, ignoring economic feasibility, which carries important implications. This paper fills this gap first by meticulously selecting laboratory tests for characterization within the means available in developing countries and second by conducting a cost-benefit analysis. The port of Safi, Morocco, was chosen for the implementation of the adopted approach. Results showed that dredged sediment is a sand readily reusable as a construction aggregate. Several applications are possible, the most interesting one being concrete works, as a substitute for conventional sand. While treatment by washing and dehydrating proved necessary, cost-benefit analysis confirmed the profitability of recycling. Hence, beneficial reuse of dredged sediment as construction material is technically and economically feasible.

Multiscale Process Intensification of Waste Valorization Reactions

“…An examination of these works revealed that 3 papers (10%) utilized experimental methodology, 6 papers (21%) discussed the reported results and compared them with their findings, and 20 papers (69%) cited 1 or more of Dr. Santos’s papers in the introduction section of their papers to explain a concept (Table S1 in the Supporting Information). More details and discussion about these relevant studies ,,− are available in the Supporting Information file alongside other analyses on citation usage, publication sources, country, institutional collaboration analyses, and paper classification according to scientific disciplines and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A scientometric analysis is a powerful tool for researchers to gauge the impact of their work and to connect with the broader scientific community beyond what other networking activities, such as conferences and webinars, allow.…”

Enhancing Phytoextraction Potential of Brassica napus for Contaminated Dredged Sediment Using Nitrogen Fertilizers and Organic Acids

“…Sediment is dredged to maintain the navigability of waterways, control floods, or remove contaminated sediment. Several potential usages of dredged sediment include its use in preventing coastal erosion, reconstructing landscapes [ 15 ], and usage as a construction and building material [ 16 ]. Additionally, there is potential for using dredged sediment in agriculture due to its high content of organic matter and other nutrients [ 17 ].…”

The Dispersion of Total Suspended Solids in Seawater Following Submersion of Dredged Material in the Vung Ang Port

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