Port Sediments Research Articles

Land Reclamation using Construction Waste for Offshore Gaza Fishery Port

The world experience rapidly growing in population density and lack of areas especially coastal areas, which is considered the most vital, economic and cultural areas around the world. This force the experts investigating different suggestions such as sea reclamation and its exploitation for many goals>In this study, it is proposed to relocate the construction features of the Gaza fishery port for better sediment transport and hydraulic conditions. Therefore, the study methodology started with estimation of the construction waste quantity resulted from 2014 aggression, then ensuring its testing results, specifications and possibility of using it in land reclamation. Furthermore, the existing Gaza fishery port sediment transportation and features were studied and its bathymetry was identified. As a result, the new proposed reclaimed area was identified in west of the existing western breakwater at Gaza fishery port and its area was estimated according to estimation the quantity of debris resulted from removing the existing breakwaters in addition to construction wastes resulted from 2014 aggression. The total estimated quantity of available debris is about one million cubic meters, which adequate to reclaim about 11 hectares. However, the new reclaimed area should be surrounded by sheet piles, so the sheet pile type is assumed to be PZC 28 and finally the total cost of the proposed reclaimed area was estimated as USD130 per square meter of reclaimed area. Finally, to facilitate transportation and movement through this reclaimed area, the bridge is recommended to be constructed. Finally, the cost of sea reclamation is feasible especially that Gaza fishery seaport is very vital and important place, which will be as a fishery port and for recreational activities.

Experimental testing for Zarzis port sediments (Tunisia) in road materials

This study focused on the feasibility of Tunisian sediment reuse as new road material. Experiments were conducted to investigate sediment reuse as road material. Three mixtures (raw sediments, stabilised sediments with 3% lime and stabilised sediments with 3% cement) were studied with regard to their mechanical performances. The first part of this paper introduces the characterisation of Zarzis sediments. The second part describes the laboratory experiments and the followed methods. The third part is dedicated to the analysis of results. The originality of this work is the use of a minimum percentage of lime, which was determined experimentally. Based on environmental tests, Zarzis sediments were uncontaminated. Thus, they can be reused directly without a decontamination treatment process. Results show that humic compounds complicated sediment treatment with cement. Therefore, cement did not present an appropriate binder for stabilising and solidifying the investigated sediments. Based on mechanical results, a mixture with 3% lime can be used as new road material.

Mercury in sediments of harbor areas of the Baltic Sea: compilation of data and comparison of legislation in the individual countries

Mercury is a very toxic chemical element and presents a very high level of chemical and biological activity. Long-term emissions of this element into the environment created a global pool of mercury, as a result of mercury forms has been constantly mobilised, deposited and re-mobilised up till now. The continued releases increase the overall values of the global mercury cycle in the air, water, sediments/soil as well as flora and fauna. Port sediments, which containing large deposits of mercury compounds may constitute a potential threat to the marine environment. Moreover harbour basins, which are mainly located in the estuary areas, can be exposed on the pollutants collected by the river flowing through the whole basin area. Furthermore, some contamination can be also supplied to the harbour areas as a result of cargo handling, ship traffic, the discharge of industrial and municipal wastewater etc. These contamination are largely deposited in the benthic sediments. This study summarizes results of mercury concentration in the sediments collected from the marine ports of the Baltic Sea (31 ports). Additionally, it references them to the existing legislation of the individual countries. These data came from the various sources: scientific articles, data submitted by different ports, port-related organisations within the framework of the project SMOCS [35], as well as own research..It has been found differences between each country's legal system. These are related to the different limit values used for the contamination assessment of mercury in port sediments. Another issue is an application of different analytical methodologies in environmental survey. The common analytical methodolody for the determination of mercury compounds together with defined similar limit values for the polluted sediments seems to be extremly important issue in terms of planning as well as managing Baltic Sea port’s sediments

New records of the alien polychaete worm Chaetozone corona (Polychaeta: Cirratulidae) in the Adriatic Sea

Several specimens of the alien polychaete Chaetozone corona were encountered at sites along the Italian coasts of the Adriatic Sea between 2006 and 2015, indicating its successful establishment in the area. Morphological variability between specimens from the North Adriatic and the South Adriatic was detected. Methyl Green staining patterns revealed further minor differences suggesting the presence of two slightly different populations. Chaetozone corona does not appear to be invasive in natural conditions, but it appears more abundant in polluted port sediments, what may represent the main source of introduction.

Assessment of heavy metal and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in the Sultanate of Oman with emphasis on harbours, marinas, terminals and ports

The assessment here includes data on levels of contaminants (petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals) in sediments and biomonitor organisms, including the eulittoral rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata and subtidal biomonitors, the barnacle Balanus trigonus and the antipatharian coral Antipathes sp., at harbours, marinas, terminals and large ports along the coastline of Oman. TBT levels in harbour and port sediments up to a maximum of 100ppb TBT dry weight are highlighted. Oysters contained concentrations up to 367ppm mg TPH/kg dry weight. The maximum levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in the subtidal sediments and barnacles at the oil tanker loading Single Buoy Mooring stations in Mina Al Fahal. In general, the levels of most of the contaminants analysed are at low to moderate concentrations compared to those in highly contaminated sites such as shipyards and dry docks, but continued monitoring is recommended especially during any dredging campaigns.

Remediation of Pb-contaminated port sediment by biosurfactant from Bacillus sp. G1

The remediation of Pb-contaminated port sediment by biosurfactant from a new isolated Bacillus sp. G1 was studied. The Pb removal efficiencies were investigated under multi-levels of water–solid ratio, pH and ionic strength. Result showed that exchangeable speciation of Pb could be removed by maximum removal capacity of 76.8 mg/g after leaching. The Langmuir isotherm reflected the adsorption process best to fit the experimental adsorption equilibrium data. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) indicated that C=O and —CH3 may be the functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the surface of the port sediment became much smoother after adsorption interaction, which reflected that the complexation between Pb ions and biosurfactant was more stable. The results indicated that the biosurfactant of Bacillus sp. G1 could remove Pb effectively from the Pb-contaminated port sediment (PCPS) and suggested a novel method for PCPS remediation.

Surface sediment quality relative to port activities: A contaminant-spectrum assessment

Ports are facing increasing environmental concerns with their importance to the global economy. Numerous studies indicated sediment quality deterioration in ports; however, the deterioration is not discriminated for each port activity. This study investigated a spectrum of contaminants (metals and organic pollutants) in surface sediments at 20 sampling points in Port Ningbo, China, one of the top five world ports by volume. The spectrum of contaminants (metals and organic pollutants) was quantified following marine sediment quality guidelines of China and USA and surface sediment quality was assessed according to thresholds of the two guidelines. Coupling a categorical matrix of port activities with the matrix of sedimentary contaminants revealed that contaminants were highly associated with the port operations. Ship repair posed a severe chemical risk to sediment. Operations of crude oil and coal loadings were two top activities related to organic pollutants in sediments while port operations of ore and container loadings discharged metals. Among the 20 sampling points, Cu, Zn, Pb, and DDT and its metabolites were the priority contaminants influencing sediment quality. Overall, surface sediments in Port Ningbo had relatively low environmental risks but ship repair is an environmental concern that must be addressed. This study provides a practical approach for port activity-related quality assessment of surface sediments in ports that could be applicable in many world sites.

Managing dredged material in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea

This article deals with the legal and practical recommendations for the management of dredged material in the riparian countries of the Baltic Sea. The recommendations are contained in three conventions: LC, 2000. London Convention (1972), Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea area (Helsinki Convention) (1992), the OSPAR Convention (1972). Different approaches to evaluating the contamination level of dredge spoils, used by the Baltic Sea riparian countries, have been characterized. The differences in those approaches manifest themselves by various concentration limits for contaminants, which form a basis for the classification of dredged material as either contaminated or non-contaminated, and thus determine how the spoils will be processed further. Based on the collected information about the concentration limits for contaminants of surface sediments in the coastal ports, it was pointed out that it is necessary to conduct routine monitoring of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, tributyltin, and petroleum hydrocarbons in dredged sediments in all the Baltic Sea states. On the other hand, the monitoring of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans, organochlorine, and organophosphoric pesticides is only needed in locations that are suspected of historical or being the local contamination sources. Due to significant economic limitations of chemical determinations, it is important to consider a simple screening test of sediment that would say whether sediment may be "contaminated" and qualifies for more detailed and costly chemical research. It may be typical basic physical-chemical analysis of sediments or ecotoxicological classification of sediments.Despite environmentally friendly tendencies, the practical application of dredged material within the Baltic Sea area is very limited. Dredged material is most frequently stored at the specifically designated sites. From among the practical uses of dredge spoils, beach nourishment is of the highest significance.In the conclusion, the new proposed management procedure of dredged material was presented.

Metagenomic analysis of sediments under seaports influence in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Maritime ports are anthropogenic interventions capable of causing serious alterations in coastal ecosystems. In this study, we examined the benthic microbial diversity and community structure under the influence of two maritime ports, Mucuripe (MUC) and Pecém (PEC), at Equatorial Atlantic Ocean in Northeast Brazil. Those seaports differ in architecture, time of functioning, cargo handling and contamination. The microbiomes from MUC and PEC were also compared in silico to 11 other globally distributed marine microbiomes. The comparative analysis of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) retrieved by PCR-DGGE showed that MUC presents greater richness and β diversity of Bacteria and Archaea than PEC. In line with these results, metagenomic analysis showed that MUC and PEC benthic microbial communities share the main common bacterial phyla found in coastal environments, although can be distinguish by greater abundance of Cyanobacteria in MUC and Deltaproteobacteria in PEC. Both ports differed in Archaea composition, being PEC port sediments dominated by Thaumarchaeota. The microbiomes showed little divergence in their potential metabolic pathways, although shifts on the microbial taxonomic signatures involved in nitrogen and sulphur metabolic pathways were observed. The comparative analysis of different benthic marine metagenomes from Brazil, Australia and Mexico grouped them by the geographic location rather than by the type of ecosystem, although at phylum level seaport sediments share a core microbiome constituted by Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericuteres, Firmicutes, Bacteriodetes and Euryarchaeota. Our results suggest that multiple physical and chemical factors acting on sediments as a result of at least 60years of port operation play a role in shaping the benthic microbial communities at taxonomic level, but not at functional level.

Constraining the time span between the Early Holocene Hässeldalen and Askja‐S Tephras through varve counting in the Lake Czechowskie sediment record, Poland

ABSTRACTWe report the first findings of coexisting early Holocene Hässeldalen and Askja‐S cryptotephras in a varved sediment record in Lake Czechowskie (Poland). A time span of 152 +11/−8 varve years between the two tephras has been revealed by differential dating through varve counting. This is in agreement within the uncertainties with calculations from radiocarbon‐based age models from the non‐varved Hässeldala port record in southern Sweden, but shorter than assumed from the non‐varved lake record on the Faroe Islands. We discuss possible reasons for the observed differences in duration between the two tephras and provide a revised absolute age for the Askja‐S tephra of 11 228 ± 226 cal a BP based on anchoring our floating varve chronology to the absolute timescale by using the Hässeldalen Tephra as dated in the Hässeldala port sediments (11 380 ± 216 cal a BP). This age agrees with radiocarbon age models with larger uncertainty ranges, but is slightly older than radiocarbon‐based age models with narrow uncertainty bands and is even 200–300 years older than the age reported from the Faroe Islands record. In addition to these chronological issues we discuss the possible response of the Czechowskie sediment record to the Preboreal climate oscillation.

Isolation and Biological Characterization of Tributyltin Degrading Bacterial from Onne Port Sediment

Marine sediments collected from Onne Port, Rivers State Nigeria were manually polluted with tributyltin chloride (TBTCl) to evaluate the abilities of bacterial isolates to degrade the pollutant. Bacterial isolates were screened with at varying concentrations of 3 mM, 5 mM, 7 mM, and 10 mM. Bacterial strains with outstanding capabilities of utilizing TBTCl were biochemically and molecularly characterized. The total bacterial counts varied from 42 × 102 to 64.4 × 102 cfu/g when plated on MSA only and the viable counts on MSA to 3 mM TBTCl and MSA + 5 mM TBTCl ranged from 22 × 101 to 38.5 × 102 cfu/g and 18 × 101 from 21.9 × 101 cfu/g respectively; however, the total viable count in MSA + 10 mM TBTCl ranged from 1.1 × 101 - 3.8 × 101 cfu/g. Statistically, total bacterial count varied significantly across the sample sites p < 0.05 (one-way ANOVA). The 2 isolates that showed distinctive growth in the presence of high concentration of TBTCl (10 mM) were molecularly identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The 16 SrRNA sequence phylogenetic analysis using BLAST program showed that the isolates were proteobacteria. Since there are scanty works on the mechanisms of the degradation of organotin, it is then important that isolates that can tolerate organotin to a large extent can be used in the cleanup of organotin-contaminated site. Pseudomonas aeuroginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens are candidates for the bioremediation of the contaminated site.

Estimation of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Sources in Industrial Port Sediments Using a Bayesian Semifactor Model Considering Unidentified Sources

Using the chemical balance method, and considering the presence of unidentified sources, we estimated the origins of PCB contamination in surface sediments of Muroran Port, Japan. It was assumed that these PCBs originated from four types of Kanechlor products (KC300, KC400, KC500, and KC600), combustion and two kinds of pigments (azo and phthalocyanine). The characteristics of these congener patterns were summarized on the basis of principal component analysis and explanatory variables determined. A Bayesian semifactor model (CMBK2) was applied to the explanatory variables to analyze the sources of PCBs in the sediments. The resulting estimates of the contribution ratio of each kind of sediment indicate that the existence of unidentified sources can be ignored and that the assumed seven sources are adequate to account for the contamination. Within the port, the contribution ratio of KC500 and KC600 (used as paints for ship hulls) was extremely high, but outside the port, the influence of azo pigments was observable to a limited degree. This indicates that environmental PCBs not derived from technical PCBs are present at levels that cannot be ignored.

Are conventional statistical techniques exhaustive for defining metal background concentrations in harbour sediments? A case study: The Coastal Area of Bari (Southeast Italy)

Sediment contamination by metals poses significant risks to coastal ecosystems and is considered to be problematic for dredging operations. The determination of the background values of metal and metalloid distribution based on site-specific variability is fundamental in assessing pollution levels in harbour sediments. The novelty of the present work consists of addressing the scope and limitation of analysing port sediments through the use of conventional statistical techniques (such as: linear regression analysis, construction of cumulative frequency curves and the iterative 2σ technique), that are commonly employed for assessing Regional Geochemical Background (RGB) values in coastal sediments. This study ascertained that although the tout court use of such techniques in determining the RGB values in harbour sediments seems appropriate (the chemical–physical parameters of port sediments fit well with statistical equations), it should nevertheless be avoided because it may be misleading and can mask key aspects of the study area that can only be revealed by further investigations, such as mineralogical and multivariate statistical analyses.

Investigation on Possible Contamination of Port Sediments by Means of ATRFTIR Spectroscopy and Thermal Analysis

This study proposes a method employing thermogravimetric analysis (TG) to predict pollutionlevels by heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd and Hg) in port sediments close to urban and industrial sitesfrom bay of Cadiz. For this purpose, the thermogravimetric results of 14 sediment samples were recorded andshowed two characteristic ranges of temperatures (W1 as weight loss, %: 200-650°C) vs. (W2 as weight loss,%: 650-900°C) as being representative of the sediment characteristics. Samples with a high W1 were characterizedby the prevalence of a thin fraction and high metal content, while samples with a high W2 were characterizedby large sandy fractions and, in general, low metal contents in agreement with the pollution load index (PLI).Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis proved to be an alternative tool for thesimultaneous detection of many components of sediments. Combined with TG, this technique allows forsimultaneous, rapid and reliable screening of pollution levels in port sediments.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in bottom sediments of the Port of Gdansk

Abstract Combustion processes are considered to be the main source of the dioxin emission in the Baltic region. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its derivatives, pentachlorophenyl laurate (PCPL) and sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP) are known as precursors of dioxins. The research was conducted to obtain the first data on the concentration of PCDD/Fs and PCP in the bottom sediments of the Port of Gdansk. Toxicity (the Microtox® test) as well as several sediment parameters have been examined. In the surface layer of bottom sediments from the Port of Gdansk, all congeners of PCDD/Fs have been detected using GC-MS/MS. The highest concentration was obtained for OCDD (224.0–271.0 pg g−1 d.w.) and HpCDD (51.0–36.0 pg g−1 d.w.). The content of ΣPCDDs prevailed over ΣPCDFs. This may indicate that anthropogenic pollution from the land-based thermal sources has the strongest impact on the concentration of dioxins in the port sediments. The concentration of 17 dioxin congeners (WHO-TEQ) did not exceed the probable effect level (PEL) of 21.5 pg TEQ g−1 d.w. The concentration of PCP ranged from bellow the LOD (&lt; 0.85 ng g−1 d.w.) to 12.4 ng g−1 d.w. The positive correlation between toxicity and physico-chemical properties of the analyzed bottom sediments confirms that these parameters are important in terms of environment contamination.

Archaeobotany in Italian ancient Roman harbours

The present study is a review of the archaeobotanical analyses carried out in the last decade at the three ancient Roman port/dock system sites of Pisae, Portus, and Neapolis. Pollen, plant macrofossils (leaf, wood, seed/fruit macroremains) and wood constituting the shipwrecks were considered, and the results, partly unpublished, integrated and interpreted. Waterlogged sediments from these port areas turned out to be particularly suited for archaeobotanical analysis and opened new perspectives in ancient harbour studies. This is the first time that a synthesis of archaeobotanical data from Italian archaeological sites of the same typology is attempted for the Roman period. The disparate sampling strategies and available materials for macrofossil analysis in the various sites – cores in Portus, short sediment sequences in Pisae, and single visible hand-collected macroremains in Neapolis – conditioned the results obtained for these remains, making the comparison among sites a particularly difficult task. The urgency of establishing a common protocol between archaeologists and archaeobotanists is thus emphasized.The plant micro- and macrofossils highlight that in Roman times the landscape of the Italian coasts between Pisa and Naples was formed by deciduous oak plain forests (whose relicts are preserved in some protected areas, like in Parco Nazionale del Circeo, south of Rome and along the coast of the Pisan plain, in the Migliarino San Rossore Regional Park) with prevalence of mesophilous elements. The Mediterranean vegetation was not widespread as expected and maquis was limited to small areas by the coast. Surprisingly, mountain elements such as beech and silver fir were not so rare in pre-Roman times, suggesting that these trees could have occupied wider areas than at present. Besides food plant remains typical of the Roman age, the port sediments also preserved seeds, fruits and leaves of the wild vegetation. Comparing the results obtained by palynology with the shipwreck wood study showed that the boats were prevailingly built with local timber, often with conifers. The use of silver fir, though never very frequent, still confirms the preference of shipbuilders for this timber, which was not always available in the close surroundings of the three sites.

Risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the West Port semi-enclosed basin (Malaysia)

Sediment samples collected from the West Port, the west coastal waters of Malaysia, were analyzed by standard methods to determine the degree of hydrocarbon contamination and identify the sources of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentrations of PAHs in the port sediments ranged from 100.3 to 3,446.9 μg/kg dw. The highest concentrations were observed in stations close to the coastline, locations affected by intensive shipping activities and industrial input. These were dominated by high-molecular-weight PAHs (4–6 rings). Source identification showed that PAHs originated mostly pyrogenically, from the combustion of fossil fuels, grass, wood, and coal or from petroleum combustion. Regarding ecological risk estimation, only station 7 was moderately polluted, the rest of the stations suffered rare or slight adverse biological effects with PAH exposure in surface sediment, suggesting that PAHs are not considered as contaminants of concern in the West Port.

EFDC를 이용한 군산항의 유사 퇴적고 계산에 관한 연구

This paper was considered on the applicability of EFDC KUNSAN_SEDTRAN MODEL (2012) to calculate Gunsan Port sediment deposition height efficiently and to use for grasping its aspects quantitatively and providing its prevention measures reasonably based on well-known 3-dimensional EFDC sediment transport module. This model was calibrated and verified with various measured field data of A Report of Hydrological Variation on Kum River Estuary (2004). Due to the model calibration and relevant literature investigation for cohesive sediment parameters, settling velocity (WS), critical deposition stress (TD), reference surface erosion rate (RSE), critical erosion stress (TE) were identified as 2.2E-04m/s, 0.20 , 0.003 , 0.40 respectivly on this model. In order to examine the applicability and precision of the model computation, the calculated model data of sediment deposition height at 13 stations for 71 days and suspended-sediment concentration at 2 stations, inner port and outer port for 15 days were compared and analyzed with the measured field data. As a result, the model applicability for sediment deposition height simulation was evaluated as NSE coefficient 0.86 and the precision for suspended-sediment concentration computation was evaluated as time averaged relative error (RE) 23%.

Assessment of the Phytotoxicity of Seaport Sediments in the Framework of a Quarry-Deposit Scenario: Germination Tests of Sediments Aged Artificially by Column Leaching

The aim of the Sustainable Management of Sediments Dredged in Seaports (SEDIGEST) project is to assess the risks of treated port sediments for terrestrial ecosystems when deposited in quarries. We simulated the "ageing" of these sediments up to the "moment" when plants can germinate. Sediments were leached by water percolating through a laboratory column. Sediments 1 and 2, taken from the port of Toulon (France), were dried and aired. Sediment 3, taken from the port of Guilvinec (France), was stabilised with lime. Phytotoxicity was evaluated on the three artificially aged sediments using germination and early development tests (48h to 7days) by Phytotoxkit F(TM) bioassays. The three dilutions tested were performed with the reference "ISO substrate" and with Lolium perenne sp. (rye grass), Sinapis alba (white mustard), and Lepidium sativum (watercress). The tests performed with sediments 1 and 2 showed (1) a decrease of their toxicity to the germination of the species selected following leaching and (2) that L. perenne was the most sensitive species. The tests performed with sediment 3 showed that it was improper for colonisation even after leaching simulating 16months of ageing. These germination tests on aged sediments identified the effects of leaching and made it possible to appreciate the capacity of the sediments to allow colonisation by plants.

Arsenic in marine sediments from French Mediterranean ports: Geochemical partitioning, bioavailability and ecotoxicology

This work investigates arsenic mobility, bioavailability and toxicity in marine port sediments using chemical sequential extraction and laboratory toxicity tests. Sediment samples were collected from two different Mediterranean ports, one highly polluted with arsenic and other inorganic and organic pollutants (Estaque port (EST)), and the other one, less polluted, with a low arsenic content (Saint Mandrier port (SM)). Arsenic distribution in the solid phase was studied using a sequential extraction procedure specifically developed for appraising arsenic mobility in sediments. Toxicity assessment was performed on sediment elutriates, solid phases and aqueous arsenic species as single substance using the embryo-toxicity test on oyster larvae (Crassostrea gigas) and the Microtox test with Vibrio fischeri. Toxicity results showed that all sediment samples presented acute and sub-chronic toxic effects on oyster larvae and bacteria, respectively. The Microtox solid phase test allow to discriminate As-contaminated samples from the less contaminated ones, suggesting that toxicity of whole sediment samples is related to arsenic content. Toxicity of dissolved arsenic species as single substance showed that Vibrio fischeri and oyster larvae are most sensitive to As(V) than As(III). The distribution coefficient (Kd) of arsenic in sediment samples was estimated using results obtained in chemical sequential extractions. The Kd value is greater in SM (450Lkg−1) than in EST (55Lkg−1), indicating that arsenic availability is higher for the most toxic sediment sample (Estaque port). This study demonstrates that arsenic speciation play an important role on arsenic mobility and its bioavailability in marine port sediments.