2.1 Review: Generation and Release of Sediments by Hydraulic Dredging

This report presents a review of available knowledge on the generation of particle size characteristics when material is subjected to dredging processes, dredge-induced sediment resuspension and the early stages of dredge plume development. Knowledge in these areas is required to improve the ability to estimate and predict suspended sediment source terms for passive dredge plume models used for far-field plume simulations. The report focuses on the two types of hydraulic dredgers that are most commonly employed in major dredging projects in Australia, namely the trailing suction hopper dredger and the cutter suction dredger.

Aims

• To specify suspended sediment source terms as inputs to passive dredge plume models to be able to simulate and predict the extent and severity of far-field dredge plumes and their environmental impacts.