SEDIMENTS TREATMENT

 

In some parts of the port of Emden, the sediment presents environmental pollutants. This prevents the use of water depth conservation measures and thus the long-term use of certain parts of the harbor. Therefore, an INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE CONCEPT FOR THE REMOVAL OF POLLUTANTS IN THE PORTS SEDIMENTS should be developed, in order to maintain port operations there in the long term. The project includes: Definition of the investigation framework; Examination of the actual load situation by taking and evaluating samples and creating a pollutant cadaster; Development of an innovative and sustainable concept for the careful and long-term removal of pollutants (incl. Presentation of sustainable sediment removal procedures; Identification of suitable ways of sediment disposal; Estimation of implementation costs; Elaboration of necessary licensing
requirements); Implementation of an innovative process for the long-term removal of environmental pollutants in the Emden harbor; Pilot Carbon Footprint Analysis and Cost Benefit Analysis. Based on this concept, a purification of the respective port areas is to be implemented.

A challenge the port of Emden is facing is that the recirculation dredging procedures can only be carried out in areas where no pollutants are present in the sediment to be treated. Any existing pollutants may under no circumstances be distributed to other port areas. This cannot be ensured by using the above described recirculation process. In some parts of the port, especially near the shipyard, large quantities of PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) and TBT (Tributyltin) can be found. Therefore, an innovative and sustainable concept is needed to remove the pollution whilst providing sufficient depth of water for port operation. NPorts wants to develop the concept in cooperation with the operator of the floating and dry dock and other ports from the DUAL Ports project according to which the required water depths can be permanently ensured in a green manner. The findings of the concept could be applied to other ports, as environmental pollutants create a general problem for many European harbours. Finding innovative ways of cleaning the sediments in the port area means also to avoid the expensive transport of dredged contaminated material to treatment plants throughout Europe and thus save massive carbon emissions.

As for the SURFACE TREATMENT, the SEDIMENT TREATMENT will bring especially additional value to the SOIL project. In this case, in fact, Emden Port seeks to find a sustainable way not to recycle the dredging material, but to remove the polluted sediments and chemically clean them. The measure has the power also to improve the port carbon footprint, by avoiding the transportation of contaminated soil to treatment plants throughout Europe.

 

 

 

Key Pilot working group

 Port of Emden

 Port of Oostende

 HWWI