Sediment Engineering thru Dredging and with Nature (SETDWN) - Fate of Fines in the Dredging and Placement Process

Abstract : The SETDWN initiative is positioned to develop a better understanding of sediment behavior and losses throughout the dredging and placement process. Present regulation bases beneficial use options for dredged material on the in-situ fine fraction, However, evidence indicates that a significant amount of these fines are released during the dredging process and are not present at the placement site. Empirically determining the percentage of fines lost between the dredge intake and final placement on the beach or in the littoral zone as a function of the dredge equipment and construction method and is intended to provide justification for a fundamental shift in the current overly conservative regulatory approach to a more engineered actual risk based set of permit requirements.