Focus On: Dredging

Dredging is often used to keep waterways navigable, by removing bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location. However, the practice can have long lasting effects on the marine environment, as the following articles discuss.

All articles below are from journals that AIMS is subscribed to, and should therefore be freely accessible by AIMS staff.

Please note the publication dates on these articles as many are older articles. 

AJ Reichelt,  GB Jones  (1994) Trace metals as tracers of dredging activity in Cleveland Bay — field and laboratory studies, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol. 45 No. 7, 1237-1257 Link to Abstract/Full Text

A.S. Hill, L.O. Veale, D. Pennington, S.G. Whyte, A.R. Brand, R.G. Hartnoll (1999) Changes in Irish Sea Benthos: Possible Effects of 40 years of Dredging, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 48, Issue 6, 739-750 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Ceridwen Fraser, Pat Hutchings, Jane Williamson (2006) Long-term changes in polychaete assemblages of Botany Bay (NSW, Australia) following a dredging event, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 52, Issue 9, 997-1010 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Claudia Wienberg, Alexander Bartholomä (2005) Acoustic seabed classification in a coastal environment (outer Weser Estuary, German Bight)—a new approach to monitor dredging and dredge spoil disposal, Continental Shelf Research, Volume 25, Issue 9, 1143-1156 Link to Abstract/Full Text

D.S. van Maren, T. van Kessel, K. Cronin, L. Sittoni (2015) The impact of channel deepening and dredging on estuarine sediment concentration, Continental Shelf Research, Volume 95, 1-14 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Enrico Pirotta, Barbara Eva Laesser, Andrea Hardaker, Nicholas Riddoch, Marianne Marcoux, David Lusseau (2013) Dredging displaces bottlenose dolphins from an urbanised foraging patch, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 74, Issue 1, 396-402 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Eric Wolanski, Ronald Gibbs, Peter Ridd, Ashish Mehta (1992) Settling of ocean-dumped dredged material, Townsville, Australia, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 35, Issue 5, 473-489 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Georgia A. Waye-Barker, Paul McIlwaine, Sophie Lozach, Keith M. Cooper (2015) The effects of marine sand and gravel extraction on the sediment composition and macrofaunal community of a commercial dredging site (15 years post-dredging), Marine Pollution Bulletin, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 5 August 2015 Link to Abstract/Full Text

G Jones (1981) Effects of dredging and reclamation on the sediments of Botany Bay, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol. 32 No. 3, 369-377 Link to Abstract/Full Text

G Jones,  S Candy (1981) Effects of dredging on the macrobenthic infauna of Botany Bay, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol. 32 No. 3, 379-398 Link to Abstract/Full Text  

H Verbeek,  JM Cornelisse  (1995) Consolidation of dredged sludge, measured by an acoustic densitometer, Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol. 46 No. 1, 179 - 188 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Jeremy Spearman (2015) A review of the physical impacts of sediment dispersion from aggregate dredging, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 94, Issues 1–2, 260-277 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Jon Brodie (2014) Dredging the Great Barrier Reef: Use and misuse of science, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 142, 1-3 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Keith Cooper, Suzanne Ware, Koen Vanstaen, Jon Barry (2011) Gravel seeding – A suitable technique for restoring the seabed following marine aggregate dredging? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 91, Issue 1, 121-132 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Keith M. Cooper (2012) Setting limits for acceptable change in sediment particle size composition following marine aggregate dredging, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 64, Issue 8, 1667-1677 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Keith M. Cooper (2013) Setting limits for acceptable change in sediment particle size composition: Testing a new approach to managing marine aggregate dredging, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 73, Issue 1, 86-97 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Keith M. Cooper, Christopher R.S. Barrio Froján, Emma Defew, Matthew Curtis, Annelise Fleddum, Lucy Brooks, David M. Paterson (2008) Assessment of ecosystem function following marine aggregate dredging, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 366, Issues 1–2, 82-91 Link to Abstract/Full Text

K. Gilkinson, E.L. King, M.Z. Li, D. Roddick, E. Kenchington, G. Han (2015) Processes of physical change to the seabed and bivalve recruitment over a 10-year period following experimental hydraulic clam dredging on Banquereau, Scotian Shelf, Continental Shelf Research, Volume 92, 72-86 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Matsuyama Akito, Yano Shinichiro, Hisano Akihiro, Kindaichi Michiaki, Sonoda Ikuko, Tada Akihide, Akagi Hirokatsu (2014) Reevaluation of Minamata Bay, 25 years after the dredging of mercury-polluted sediments, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 89, Issues 1–2, 112-120 Link to Abstract/Full Text

N. Montero, M.J. Belzunce-Segarra, J-L. Gonzalez, I. Menchaca, J.M. Garmendia, N. Etxebarria, O. Nieto, J. Franco (2013) Application of Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) procedures for the characterization and management of dredged harbor sediments, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 71, Issues 1–2, 259-268 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Paul L.A. Erftemeijer, Bernhard Riegl, Bert W. Hoeksema, Peter A. Todd (2012) Environmental impacts of dredging and other sediment disturbances on corals: A review, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 64, Issue 9,  1737-1765 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Paul L.A. Erftemeijer, Roy R. Robin Lewis III (2006) Environmental impacts of dredging on seagrasses: A review, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 52, Issue 12, 1553-1572 Link to Abstract/Full Text

P. Liria, E. Garel, A. Uriarte (2009) The effects of dredging operations on the hydrodynamics of an ebb tidal delta: Oka Estuary, northern Spain, Continental Shelf Research, Volume 29, Issue 16, 1983-1994 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Ray Drabble (2012) Projected entrainment of fish resulting from aggregate dredging, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 64, Issue 2, 373-381 Link to Abstract/Full Text

R.C Newell, D.R Hitchcock, L.J Seiderer (1999) Organic Enrichment Associated with Outwash from Marine Aggregates Dredging: A Probable Explanation for Surface Sheens and Enhanced Benthic Production in the Vicinity of Dredging Operations, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 38, Issue 9, 809-818 Link to Abstract/Full Text

R. Smith, S.E. Boyd, H.L. Rees, M.P. Dearnaley, J.R. Stevenson (2006) Effects of dredging activity on epifaunal communities – Surveys following cessation of dredging, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 70, Issues 1–2, 207-223 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Shahadat Hossain, Bradley D. Eyre, Lester J. McKee (2004) Impacts of dredging on dry season suspended sediment concentration in the Brisbane River estuary, Queensland, Australia, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 61, Issue 3, 539-545 Link to Abstract/Full Text

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