Economic modelling of the management of dredged marine sediments

Abstract

This paper presents and applies an economic model developed for the management of dredged marine sediments. The model predicts direct project costs and direct, indirect and induced economic impacts. The model is applied to analyse the economic aspect of the specific potential beneficial use of dredged sediment for land reclamation in an Irish context. The model results show the potential economic benefits to land reclamation of using dredged sediment including its value as a potential substitute for quarry based material and as an alternative to traditional offshore dredged sediment disposal, where appropriate. Analysis of other sediment management approaches including wetland creation, is also presented with the results for wetland creation indicating its potential, where appropriate, as a valuable alternative to offshore disposal. Indicative economic benefits are predicted by the model for the different dredge sediment management approaches analysed.

Durability and transport properties of SCC incorporating dredged sediments

“…However, the limited availability of natural resources opens the way for searching viable source for SCM. Dredged sediments appeared to be good alternative SCMs as they are available in huge quantities exceeding one-billion-meter cube per year all over the world [12][13][14].…”

Management of dredged marine sediments in southern France: main keys to large-scale beneficial re-use

“…The anthropogenic activities throughout the globe generates large amount of dredged sediments mainly in the harbors (Cox et al 2021). Each year, the volumes of dredged sediments are considerable: around 600 million m 3 worldwide and 50 million m 3 in France (J. R. Harrington et al 2016).…”

“…The cost of onshore management is estimated at between 30 and 120 €/m 3 (J. Harrington et al 2022; J. R. Harrington et al 2016) depending on the solution adopted. In addition to the impact of the management method on the cost disparity, the distance between the sediment collection point and the location where it will be reclaimed/disposed of has a large in uence as well.…”

Port Sediments: Problem or Resource? A Review Concerning the Treatment and Decontamination of Port Sediments by Fungi and Bacteria

“…When the accumulation of sediments becomes excessive in port seabeds, dredging actions are necessary. Moving sediments favours contaminant mobilisation and also affects the quality of seawater in the port as well as the areas adjacent to the port itself [4,5]. Dredging technologies generally comprise the excavation, remotion, transport ex situ, and storage of hazardous marine sediment materials [3,6].…”