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Ecological impacts resulting from the extraction and disposal of polluted sediments in terrestrial environments. Current state of knowledge and evaluation of the risks to ecosystems

Summary

Every year in France, dredging operations are carried out to maintain navigable waterways, restore waterways and/or improve the quality of the aquatic environment. Between 40 and 50 million m3 of dredged material are extracted each year, 90% of which is used to dredge ports. Currently, 90% of dredged material is submerged. The remainder, around seven million m3 of sediment per year, is channelled into land-based management processes. The knowledge and experience acquired in recent years have enabled considerable progress to be made in the management and recovery of dredged sediments. Nevertheless, questions remain, particularly concerning the impact on the ecosystem of sediments deposited on land.

 The context of this study therefore concerns the ecological impact of polluted dredging and/or cleaning sediments deposited on land. The objectives of the study are (i) to define the physico-chemical characteristics of the sediments and their contamination following deposition, (ii) to assess the effects of the pollutants on the ecological characteristics of the receiving environment, (iii) to study the feasibility of an ERA (Ecosystem Risk Assessment)
approach applied to sediments deposited on land, (iv) to propose a strategy for prioritising the impacts of extracted sediments and finally (v) to draw up recommendations for the management of polluted sediments extracted and deposited on land.

Keywords: Sédiments contaminés, dragage, évaluation des risques pour les écosystèmes (éRé), écosystèmes terrestres, gestion à terre, évolution, comportement, polluted sediment, dredging, Ecosystem Risk assessment (ERA), terrestrial ecosystem, onshore management, evolution, behaviour

Publication date: May 2017

Achievement: ILIS - Université de Lille 2

Reference: 14-1023/1A


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