Dredge Spoil
Dredge spoil is the material extracted from waterways in the course of maintenance and construction activities. Spoil is removed from locations where it is likely to cause problems, and consists of rock, sand and silt. As the lightest and most finely granulated of these materials, silt is able to bind and absorb more water, organic matter and contaminants. Depending on the purpose of the dredging operations, the spoil is handled in various ways:
- Removal from the water by flushing ashore via flexible or rigid lines (hoses or pipes) for commercial reuse or landfill disposal.
- Underwater relocation and dumping in areas of erosion where the material will no longer be a problem. This method is generally used in maintenance dredging, and when waterways and ports are being built or expanded.
- Underwater relocation using a water injection dredger. Under this method, the material is not collected by the dredger, but is simply dislodged from the bottom and carried away by natural currents.
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