Sediment open water disposal in the aspect of environmental hazard. General trends. Current scientific literature review.

Abstract

Disposal into the open water body is the most common practice with dredged sediments from water objects. These actions may disrupt the balance inside and around dumping area. Accumulated in sediments anthropogenic pollution such as heavy metals and persistent organic compounds impact on the environment over a longer period of time. Dumping into aquatic ecosystems million tons of spoils from dredging causes a number of concerns in the international arena. A large number of global treaties and protocols were signed to minimize the negative environmental impact of contaminated sediment from dredging process. According to current scientific papers, the study shows the sources of environmental risks and general trends stemming from this practice. Furthermore, it indicates directions of activities aimed at minimizing the negative impact of human activities resulting from the excavation of waste material brought up from dredging.