A 21st Century Projection of Sediment Management Strategies as Nature-Based Solutions in the Ems Estuary
Richard Marijnissen (Deltares)
Reinier Schrijvershof (Deltares, Wageningen University & Research)
Roy van Weerdenburg (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences, Deltares)
Bas van Maren (Deltares, TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
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Abstract
The Ems estuary faces rising turbidity and increased flood risk due to sea-level rise. We investigated three Nature-based Solutions (NbS) through hydro-morphological modeling to address these issues by 2100: converting a polder to wetland, facilitating salt marsh growth with brushwood groynes, and re-using dredged sediment. Without NbS, turbidity is projected to increase, especially with sea-level rise. Reconnecting a polder can help reduce turbidity in the Dollard while expanding facilitating new wetland, but may not fully counteract the increased sediment import projected with sea-level rise. Extracting mud from the Delfzijl harbour is the most effective measure in reducing turbidity, while marsh expansion with brushwood groynes does not significantly affect turbidity. Nevertheless, groynes facilitate both marsh expansion as well as significant local flood risk reduction.
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