Predicting and Mitigating Dredging DispersionImpact: A Case of Phuket Port, Thailand

Dredging activities inevitably cause sediment dispersion. In certain locations, where there are important ecological areas such as mangroves or coral reefs, carefully planning the dredging can significantly reduce negative impacts. This article utilizes the dredging at Phuket port, Thailand, as a case study to demonstrate how computer simulations can be helpful to protect existing coral reefs. A software package named MIKE21 was applied. Necessary information required by the simulations was gathered. After calibrating and verifying the model, various dredging scenario were simulated to predict spoil movement. The simulation results were used as guidance to setting up an environmental measure. Finally, the recommendation to dredge during flood tide with silt curtains installed was made.

Authors:

• Cherdvong Saengsupavanich

Keywords:

• Coastal simulation
• Dredging
• Environmentalprotection
• Port. Coastal engineering
• Thailand

References:

[1] D. Lee, K. Eom, G. Kim, G. Baeck, "Scoping the effective marine
environmental assessment of dredging and ocean disposal of coastal
sediments in Korea," Marine Policy, vol. 34, pp. 1082-1092, 2010.
[2] Y. E. S. Mostafa, "Environmental impacts of dredging and land
reclamation at Abu Qir Bay, Egypt," Ain Shams Engineering Journal,
vol. 3, pp. 1-15, 2012.
[3] M. Licursi, N. Go'mez, "Effects of dredging on benthic diatom
assemblages in a lowland stream," Journal of Environmental
Management, vol. 90, pp. 973-982, 2009.
[4] P. L.A. Erftemeijer, R. R. R. Lewis III, "Environmental impacts of
dredging on seagrasses: A review," Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 52,
pp 1553-1572, 2006.
[5] P. L. A. Erftemeijer, B. Riegl, B. W. Hoeksema, P. A. Todd,
"Environmental impacts of dredging and other sediment disturbances on
corals: A review," Marine Pollution Bulletin, In Press, 2012.
[6] Phuket Marine Biological Center. Http://www.pmbc.go.th (accessed 10
July 2012).
[7] Danish Hydraulics Institute. Website: http:www.dhigroup.com (accessed
12 July 2012).
[8] US. Army Corps of Engineers. Silt Curtains as a Dredging Project
Management Practice. Http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/index.cfm
(accessed 1 June 2012).
[9] B.R. Christopher, R.D., Holtz, Geotextile Engineering Manual, FHWATS-
86-203. Washington, DC: Federal Highways Administration, 1985.
[10] H. Moo-Young, T.E. Myers, D. Townsend, C. Ochola, "The migration
of contaminants through geosynthetic fabric containers utilized in
dredging operations," Engineering Geology, vol. 53, pp.167-176, 1999.
[11] T.T., Vu, S.K. Tan., "Laboratory investigation of hydraulic performance
of silt screens," in 2010 9th International Conference on Hydrodynamics,
pp. 312-317.