Perspectives in the field of reuse of dredged sediments. Findings of the coast-best project

Corsi C.;Dastoli S.;DE GIOANNIS, GIORGIA;Montresori G;MUNTONI, ALDO;Pieters A;Polettini A;Pomi R;Rizzi E;Romano E;SERCI, ANTONELLO;Villani B;Zucca A.

2014-01-01

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Abstract

The outcomes of a study on the valorization of dredged sediments from harbour areas are presented and discussed. The experimental activities were carried out in the framework of the COAST BEST project “CO-ordinated Approach for Sediment Treatment and BEneficial reuse in Small harbours neTworks” supported by the European LIFE+ financial tool. The project was aimed at developing a network of small harbours where the activities of sediment dredging, treatment and beneficial reuse can be coordinated and integrated, promoting the participation of institutions, local authorities, stakeholders and citizens. In particular, the paper reports the results of a pilot-scale demonstration campaign arranged to assess the applicability of a simple physical separation process aimed at recovering valuable fractions from different samples of sediments dredged from the study area. The results showed that, upon proper adjustment of the treatment layout and operating conditions, a sand fraction of suitable characteristics for reuse applications is obtained; in some cases, it was also possible to separate high-quality fine fractions.