Study on the consolidation state of sediments in the Huelva Estuary (SW Spain)

Abstract

This study investigates the consolidation properties of muddy sediments from the Huelva Estuary (Spain). Soil index properties were calculated and oedometer tests were undertaken to establish the consolidation properties. The results indicated most of the soils were of medium–low plasticity and high–very high compressibility. The paper discusses the difference in the overconsolidation ratios of the sedimentological units distinguished, noting that in the upper 10 m the soils are overconsolidated while below that depth high pore pressures are frequently present such that the soil can be metastable.