Water

Dredging activities and disposal of dredged materials for the development and maintenance of ports can induce short- and long-range impacts on aquatic systems as follows:

• - Degradation of such marine resources as beaches, estuaries, coral reefs, and fisheries.

• - Resuspension and settlement of the sediment.

• - Separation of toxic contaminants and reintroduction into the water column.

• - Ingestion and accumulation of contaminants in fish and shellfish.

• - Greater turbidity causing a short-term decrease in the level of dissolved oxygen.

• - Modification of the bathymetry, causing changes in the circulation, possible intrusion of salt water into the underground and surface waters in the interior.

• - Alteration in the diversity of species and structures of benthic communities, and fluctuations in the chemical composition of water.

• - Changes in the structure of the riverbank.

• - Loss of habitat and fishing resources.

Similar impacts may result in addition to increased maritime traffic and development of facilities along the shore.

The greater navigability and development of port facilities will increase maritime traffic and at the same time the risk of spills and discharges of oily bilge, ballast, anti-clogging materials and sewage. Increased development of the beach zone will also contribute to stress on the receiving aquatic system through occasional discharges of sewage, processing and cooling waters, and accidental releases.

Land

The waterfront region in the port and bay area will be altered according to the needs of new industries. These can result in the relocation of villages, increased vehicular traffic, dust and air emissions from traffic and accumulations of raw materials, and surface runoff pollution. Numerous facilities in ports and bays are located close to fragile salt marshes, mangroves and estuaries that can serve as wells for collecting rainwater and polluting sediment from the riparian area.

Land disposal of dredged materials in confined and unconfined systems can also affect underlying groundwater, contaminate surface flow, and alter land use options. Growing concern about the loss of wetlands and its effects on the hydrological and biological structure and functioning of biomials is likely to preclude the use of wetlands as reclamation sites for dredged materials.

Sociocultural problems

For the most part, new or expanded facilities for ports and bays in developing nations are welcomed, as these projects provide new jobs and bring an influx of trade to the region. However, improvement, expansion and industrialization can unbalance local cultural, ethnic, historical and religious traditions. In some cases, the acceptance and success of projects may be hindered by local concern about the potential destruction of historic sites, parks, reserves, and valuable recreational and fishing resources in the coastal area. It is essential to achieve community participation in project planning.

During the planning and implementation phases, projections of the possible impacts of increased demand on local technical and labor resources should be made to avoid excess pressure on limited resources. Impacts on scarce local assets must be carefully limited or avoided. For example, the destruction of a valuable local fishery or recreational beach for the development of harbor and bay facilities could result in undesirable economic and cultural impacts.

Dangerous materials and cargo

The shipment and handling of such hazardous materials as pesticides, explosives or pressurized gases, in the port facilities of developing nations, could present an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. In order to protect workers and surrounding communities, authorities must ensure that effective measures are implemented to control the transportation and handling of hazardous materials in the port.

maintenance dredging

Maintenance dredging is carried out in approach channels and bay depressions to maintain their depth and breadth and ensure safe access for large vessels. Materials from maintenance dredging generally present a greater disposal problem than the deeper sediment removed during construction dredging, since surface sediment is composed of recently deposited materials that are usually contaminated. This more recent sediment often contains natural and anthropogonic contaminants that may originate from atmospheric precipitation, surface erosion of local lands and channel banks, precipitation from biological activity in the water column "Water Column (ecology"), sediment transport from inland waters, discharges from point sources, and surface flow from the surrounding area. In order to mitigate the potential release of contaminants from the port area, the following should be addressed:.

• - correct design of rainwater management and treatment facilities; sewage and sewage precipitation;

• - local land use (for example: proximity to agricultural fields or mining operations);

• - procedures for handling hazardous materials; and,.

• - types of industries that are allowed to operate in the port area.

Environmental legislation

Internationally, increased attention is being paid to the importance of maintaining and protecting the structural and functional integrity of coastal zone resources; therefore, any port and bay development that could affect these resources must comply with local or regional restrictions.

Open ocean waste disposal, including contaminated dredged materials, has received considerable attention in recent years. Applicable regulations must be followed locally and internationally, such as:.

• - 1974 Oslo Convention.

• - 1978 Paris Convention.

• - London Convention on the Discharge of Waste 1972.

Additionally, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for establishing guidelines for ports to prevent and control releases and discharges from ships.

Location of ports and bays

Many developing countries are characterized by human population density, inadequate drinking water and sanitary waste disposal systems, intensive land use, and increasing levels of environmental degradation. It may not be a good idea to develop a port or bay for the purpose of increasing maritime trade and related industries in an area currently experiencing environmental stress, unless appropriate mitigating measures are planned to ensure proper management of waste from development-related activities. The decision to improve or establish facilities for ports and bays is normally based on economic, geographical and political parameters, rather than environmental parameters. When choosing a location, the assimilation capacity of the prevailing natural systems should be considered, along with its ease of access, employment needs and local commerce.

Contenido

A menudo existen varias alternativas de planificación, diseño e implementación para un proyecto de desarrollo de una instalación en un puerto o bahía. A medida que progresa un proyecto, el personal y consultores de la institución gestora del proyecto describirán las alternativas específicas consideradas durante la evaluación del proyecto. A continuación se trata varias alternativas y consideraciones que pueden proporcionar un marco para el examen de un proyecto específico por parte de los encargados de la evaluación y análisis ecológico. En el análisis de las alternativas es fundamental la participación de todas las comunidades involucradas.

Site selection

The selection of a site for the development of new port or bay facilities depends on many physical aspects of the local vicinity, as well as socio-economic considerations. Typically, good sites satisfy the following criteria.

• - The physical aspects, including wind, tide, currents, climate and sedimentation, do not require further maintenance or exclude maritime traffic.

• - Alterations in circulation do not place the port in a place where maximum sedimentation will occur, resulting in a greater frequency of maintenance dredging.

• - The land area in the riparian zone is suitable for the waste processing and management needs of any developing industry.

• - Such programming considerations as the reproduction and migration periods of native biota are not violated.

• - The need for population relocation is minimal.

• - The project does not compete with or displace other highly valued land uses such as fishing beaches, tourism, agricultural fields or villages.

• - Project activities do not negatively affect the value of an existing marine or coastal resource, such as dunes or a seafood farm.

• - Availability of construction materials, skilled labor, supporting industries, electricity and fresh water supplies, waste disposal and transportation facilities.

• - Construction, operation and maintenance of the port or bay does not harm fragile habitats (for example estuaries, mangroves) or rare, at-risk, or endangered species.

• - Access to the port by road/rail can be easily established without major disruption to the communities.

Disposal of dredged material

The initial selection to evaluate the disposal options constitutes a physical - chemical analysis, with the purpose of verifying the geotechnical character and the presence of contaminants in the sediment. Depending on the physical-chemical character of the dredged material, its disposal may be confined, unconfined, or treated prior to release into open water, along the beach, or onto land. Disposal must be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations. Additionally, long-term monitoring of the dredging and disposal process may be required....

Dredging process

The main categories of dredging include mechanical technologies, hydraulics and new innovative methods. When choosing the most appropriate technology or combination of technologies for dredging, the project engineer should consider the following site-specific factors:

• - Environmental restrictions associated with the physical - chemical character of the sediment.

• - Cost and availability of equipment; location and limitations of the disposal site.

• - Proximity to fragile systems such as mangroves, estuaries, regional groundwater and freshwater bodies.

• - Physical conditions affecting dredging, transportation and disposal sites.

• - Interference with other users therein.

• - Consultation Book for Environmental Assessment (Volume I, II and III). Technical Work of the Environment Department of the World Bank.

• - Environmental impact of transportation.

• - Wikilibros hosts a book or manual on Environmental impacts/Ports and bays.

Water

Dredging activities and disposal of dredged materials for the development and maintenance of ports can induce short- and long-range impacts on aquatic systems as follows:

• - Degradation of such marine resources as beaches, estuaries, coral reefs, and fisheries.

• - Resuspension and settlement of the sediment.

• - Separation of toxic contaminants and reintroduction into the water column.

• - Ingestion and accumulation of contaminants in fish and shellfish.

• - Greater turbidity causing a short-term decrease in the level of dissolved oxygen.

• - Modification of the bathymetry, causing changes in the circulation, possible intrusion of salt water into the underground and surface waters in the interior.

• - Alteration in the diversity of species and structures of benthic communities, and fluctuations in the chemical composition of water.

• - Changes in the structure of the riverbank.

• - Loss of habitat and fishing resources.

Similar impacts may result in addition to increased maritime traffic and development of facilities along the shore.

The greater navigability and development of port facilities will increase maritime traffic and at the same time the risk of spills and discharges of oily bilge, ballast, anti-clogging materials and sewage. Increased development of the beach zone will also contribute to stress on the receiving aquatic system through occasional discharges of sewage, processing and cooling waters, and accidental releases.

Land

The waterfront region in the port and bay area will be altered according to the needs of new industries. These can result in the relocation of villages, increased vehicular traffic, dust and air emissions from traffic and accumulations of raw materials, and surface runoff pollution. Numerous facilities in ports and bays are located close to fragile salt marshes, mangroves and estuaries that can serve as wells for collecting rainwater and polluting sediment from the riparian area.

Land disposal of dredged materials in confined and unconfined systems can also affect underlying groundwater, contaminate surface flow, and alter land use options. Growing concern about the loss of wetlands and its effects on the hydrological and biological structure and functioning of biomials is likely to preclude the use of wetlands as reclamation sites for dredged materials.

Sociocultural problems

For the most part, new or expanded facilities for ports and bays in developing nations are welcomed, as these projects provide new jobs and bring an influx of trade to the region. However, improvement, expansion and industrialization can unbalance local cultural, ethnic, historical and religious traditions. In some cases, the acceptance and success of projects may be hindered by local concern about the potential destruction of historic sites, parks, reserves, and valuable recreational and fishing resources in the coastal area. It is essential to achieve community participation in project planning.

During the planning and implementation phases, projections of the possible impacts of increased demand on local technical and labor resources should be made to avoid excess pressure on limited resources. Impacts on scarce local assets must be carefully limited or avoided. For example, the destruction of a valuable local fishery or recreational beach for the development of harbor and bay facilities could result in undesirable economic and cultural impacts.

Dangerous materials and cargo

The shipment and handling of such hazardous materials as pesticides, explosives or pressurized gases, in the port facilities of developing nations, could present an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. In order to protect workers and surrounding communities, authorities must ensure that effective measures are implemented to control the transportation and handling of hazardous materials in the port.

maintenance dredging

Maintenance dredging is carried out in approach channels and bay depressions to maintain their depth and breadth and ensure safe access for large vessels. Materials from maintenance dredging generally present a greater disposal problem than the deeper sediment removed during construction dredging, since surface sediment is composed of recently deposited materials that are usually contaminated. This more recent sediment often contains natural and anthropogonic contaminants that may originate from atmospheric precipitation, surface erosion of local lands and channel banks, precipitation from biological activity in the water column "Water Column (ecology"), sediment transport from inland waters, discharges from point sources, and surface flow from the surrounding area. In order to mitigate the potential release of contaminants from the port area, the following should be addressed:.

• - correct design of rainwater management and treatment facilities; sewage and sewage precipitation;

• - local land use (for example: proximity to agricultural fields or mining operations);

• - procedures for handling hazardous materials; and,.

• - types of industries that are allowed to operate in the port area.

Environmental legislation

Internationally, increased attention is being paid to the importance of maintaining and protecting the structural and functional integrity of coastal zone resources; therefore, any port and bay development that could affect these resources must comply with local or regional restrictions.

Open ocean waste disposal, including contaminated dredged materials, has received considerable attention in recent years. Applicable regulations must be followed locally and internationally, such as:.

• - 1974 Oslo Convention.

• - 1978 Paris Convention.

• - London Convention on the Discharge of Waste 1972.

Additionally, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for establishing guidelines for ports to prevent and control releases and discharges from ships.

Location of ports and bays

Many developing countries are characterized by human population density, inadequate drinking water and sanitary waste disposal systems, intensive land use, and increasing levels of environmental degradation. It may not be a good idea to develop a port or bay for the purpose of increasing maritime trade and related industries in an area currently experiencing environmental stress, unless appropriate mitigating measures are planned to ensure proper management of waste from development-related activities. The decision to improve or establish facilities for ports and bays is normally based on economic, geographical and political parameters, rather than environmental parameters. When choosing a location, the assimilation capacity of the prevailing natural systems should be considered, along with its ease of access, employment needs and local commerce.

Contenido

A menudo existen varias alternativas de planificación, diseño e implementación para un proyecto de desarrollo de una instalación en un puerto o bahía. A medida que progresa un proyecto, el personal y consultores de la institución gestora del proyecto describirán las alternativas específicas consideradas durante la evaluación del proyecto. A continuación se trata varias alternativas y consideraciones que pueden proporcionar un marco para el examen de un proyecto específico por parte de los encargados de la evaluación y análisis ecológico. En el análisis de las alternativas es fundamental la participación de todas las comunidades involucradas.

Site selection

The selection of a site for the development of new port or bay facilities depends on many physical aspects of the local vicinity, as well as socio-economic considerations. Typically, good sites satisfy the following criteria.

• - The physical aspects, including wind, tide, currents, climate and sedimentation, do not require further maintenance or exclude maritime traffic.

• - Alterations in circulation do not place the port in a place where maximum sedimentation will occur, resulting in a greater frequency of maintenance dredging.

• - The land area in the riparian zone is suitable for the waste processing and management needs of any developing industry.

• - Such programming considerations as the reproduction and migration periods of native biota are not violated.

• - The need for population relocation is minimal.

• - The project does not compete with or displace other highly valued land uses such as fishing beaches, tourism, agricultural fields or villages.

• - Project activities do not negatively affect the value of an existing marine or coastal resource, such as dunes or a seafood farm.

• - Availability of construction materials, skilled labor, supporting industries, electricity and fresh water supplies, waste disposal and transportation facilities.

• - Construction, operation and maintenance of the port or bay does not harm fragile habitats (for example estuaries, mangroves) or rare, at-risk, or endangered species.

• - Access to the port by road/rail can be easily established without major disruption to the communities.

Disposal of dredged material

The initial selection to evaluate the disposal options constitutes a physical - chemical analysis, with the purpose of verifying the geotechnical character and the presence of contaminants in the sediment. Depending on the physical-chemical character of the dredged material, its disposal may be confined, unconfined, or treated prior to release into open water, along the beach, or onto land. Disposal must be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations. Additionally, long-term monitoring of the dredging and disposal process may be required....

Dredging process

The main categories of dredging include mechanical technologies, hydraulics and new innovative methods. When choosing the most appropriate technology or combination of technologies for dredging, the project engineer should consider the following site-specific factors:

• - Environmental restrictions associated with the physical - chemical character of the sediment.

• - Cost and availability of equipment; location and limitations of the disposal site.

• - Proximity to fragile systems such as mangroves, estuaries, regional groundwater and freshwater bodies.

• - Physical conditions affecting dredging, transportation and disposal sites.

• - Interference with other users therein.

• - Consultation Book for Environmental Assessment (Volume I, II and III). Technical Work of the Environment Department of the World Bank.

• - Environmental impact of transportation.

• - Wikilibros hosts a book or manual on Environmental impacts/Ports and bays.