Title

An Environmental and Economic Assessment of Topsoil Production From Dredge Material

Authors

Colm Sheehan, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown Campus, Cork, IrelandFollow
Joseph R. Harrington, School of Building & Civil Engineering, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown Campus, Cork, IrelandFollow
J. D. Murphy, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Engineering

Publication Details

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

Volume 55, Issue 2, Pages 209-220

Abstract

This paper investigates the environmental and economic feasibility of producing manufactured topsoil at the Port of Waterford, Ireland from two waste streams; dredge material and household waste. Four dredging and dredge material transport scenarios to a topsoil production facility are proposed; a trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) with pipeline transport, a grab hopper dredger (GHD) with barge transport, a small purchased port owned dredger (TSHD) with hopper transport and a leased dredger (GHD) with hopper transport. The stringent legislative framework governing the proposal is outlined. A detailed environmental and economic analysis is presented for each scenario. The environmental analysis presents results for CO2 transport emissions and also presents sensitivity analyses for different projects parameters. The economic analysis presents the annual profits or losses for each scenario for a range of topsoil production quantities and integrated into the current dredging regime at the Port of Waterford. Economic sensitivity analyses are presented for different project parameters. This paper recommends, based on the analysis undertaken, the use of a leased dredger with hopper transport to transport the dredge material to the topsoil production site as the most feasible option currently available at the Port of Waterford. The proposal provides an environmentally sustainable end use for dredge material as an alternative to disposal at sea.

Recommended Citation

C. Sheehan, J. Harrington, J.D. Murphy, An environmental and economic assessment of topsoil production from dredge material, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 55, Issue 2, 2010, Pages 209-220, 10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.09.011.