DREDGING

Lagoon Sludge Removal: The Sediment Removal Process

During the process of dredging, a dredge is used to remove muck and mud from the bottom or side of a body of water. A dredge is equipped with a submersible pump that relies on suction to excavate the debris. A long tube carries the sediment from the bottom of the body of water to the surface. The disposal of the dredged material must be conducted in compliance with federal, state and local government laws and regulations.

When dredging, the operator lowers the boom of a dredge to the bottom (or side) of the body of water.  A rotating cutter-bar then uses teeth to loosen the settled material, as the submersible pump removes the sediment from the bottom of the waterway.  The silt and debris are then transported away for final processing.  Check out the infographic below to learn how the dredging process works!

Dredging also has numerous environmental benefits including:

  • Environmental Remediation: Sediment removal can help to restore a shoreline or beachfront to its original condition by reversing the effects of soil erosion.
  • Cleanup Applications: Dredging can clean up a waterway after a toxic material spill or via the removal of trash, debris, decaying vegetation, sludge or other materials that can contaminate water and soil.
  • Preserving Aquatic Life: Dredging can produce a healthier aquatic eco-system that can result in a more suitable habitat for fish and other wildlife. It can also be used for trash and debris removal to keep the waterways clean.
  • General Pollutant Removal: Water bodies located near urban areas and industrial complexes can quickly become a receptacle for various pollutants. Sediment removal can prevent the accumulation of pollutants and keep the waterway clean and healthy.
  • Remediation of Eutrophied Water Bodies: Eutrophication is an excessive amount of nutrients in a water body typically caused by water runoff from the surrounding land. Eutrophication can lead to an overabundance of plant growth that results in oxygen deprivation and can cause the death of aquatic wildlife. In some cases, dredging may be the most viable remediation option when eutrophication occurs.