Physical and Rheological Characteristics of Sediment for Nautical Depth Assessment in Bushehr Port and Its Access Channel

Abstract

Sedimentation in ports and waterways covered with fine deposits is a significant challenge in harbor management. The top layer of the bed in such areas typically consists of fluid mud, for which dredging is complicated and less efficient. The goal of this paper is to investigate physical and rheological characteristics of sediment for nautical depth assessment in Bushehr Port and its access channel. In this study the fluid mud layer was detected by hydrographic surveys with a dual-frequency echo sounder. Moreover, sediment properties in various parts of the channel and port were analyzed through a comprehensive sediment sampling in the field and complementary laboratory studies, including sediment grain-size analysis and distribution, carbonate and organic matter content, rheometry, and consolidation and settling tests. It was found that water contents and concentration, and clay-size fractions are the most important factors in rheological characteristics of sediment in the study area. The results indicated that the clay-size fraction in the surficial bed was between 18 and 31%, which categorized it as fine and cohesive sediment. In terms of mineralogy, the sediment was mostly carbonate mud with carbonate content between 52.9 and 57.2%. The results showed that the sediment concentration and yield stress in most samples were lower than 1030 kg/m3 and 123 Pascals, respectively. Based on the hydrographic surveys and obtained sediment characteristics, it is concluded that the nautical bottom approach can be practically implemented in the Bushehr Port and its access channel.

Study of the Rheological Characteristics of Sediment-Gelling Compositions for Limiting Water Inflows

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“…As is known [3,4], the efficiency of NBHZ treatments with SGCs depends on their good selective filterability in zones with high water saturation, allowing for the creation of water-insulating barriers/shields in the desired direction and to a sufficient depth, and the controllability of the process of water-shedding of the flooded section of the reservoir according to the degree and duration of blockage and water-insulating properties of the formed screen [5], determined by the rheological and filtration characteristics of the SGC.…”

“…Currently, most of the world's oil fields are at a late stage of development, which is characterized primarily by an increase in water cut and a decrease in oil production [5][6][7]. Well water cut is a serious and widespread problem in the oil industry, and it is the subject of numerous studies.…”

LUSI sediment characteristics and its distribution pathway in the porong river

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Littoral Drift Impoundment at a Sandbar Breakwater: Two Case Studies along the Bight of Benin Coast (Gulf of Guinea, West Africa)

“…Typically, port structures induce low to severe morphological changes within their environs. These may include but are not limited to: (i) sedimentation and entrance dredging problems [8][9][10][11][12], (ii) downdrift erosion [13,14], (iii) changes to wave climate [15,16], and (iv) environmental pollution [17]. Among these issues, updrift sediment deposition and downdrift erosion relative to the port location appear to be the most pressing issues and downdrift erosion relative to the port location appear to be the most pressing issues discussed in previous literature.…”