Dredge Plumes: Ecological risk assessment

Nowadays, the ecological effects of dredge plumes are usually managed based on the precautionary principle. Predictions of suspended sediment levels are made, which have to be compared to thresholds set by the responsible authority. Failing to comply may cause a project to be delayed and thus lead to additional costs. The precautionary principle...

Stochastic effects of dredge plumes: Development and application of a risk-based approach to assess ecological effects of dredge plumes on sensitive receivers

Dredge plumes and ecology have become increasingly intertwined in recent history; one of the more prominent reasons behind this is the influence of clouds of fine sediments released in the open water due to dredging (`dredge plumes') on for `sensitive receivers' such as coral, seagrass and mangroves. An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) in...