Environmental assessment of pre-dredging sediments and proposals for their subsequent management in the port of Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Nowadays, the discharge of sediments from dredging works into sea is one most critical problems affecting coastal management. Therefore, characterization, assessment and handling materials to be dredged utmost importance. Since its creation, Port Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, has presented a structural difficulty that affects operation: interruption strong littoral drift by breakwaters generates an important sand sedimentation, blocking access channel. This hampers entry maneuverability large ships, while promoting sediment imbalances on regional scale, causing erosion many beaches. At present, administrative authorities port are proposing new work in order restore adequate navigation depths. On this basis, aim was assess current characteristics Plata compare it with previous results 1996. Grain size, water content organic matter were monitored at 12 stations. The indicate external sector receives larger share than 1996; silts clays preferentially deposited inner docks; matter, increases compared study, accumulates docks lower renewal higher contributions waste-water. Based these results, proposes beach nourishment as management alternative for sediments. Several urban beaches subject regional-scale erosive processes could target sites. It expected study will used baseline improvement environmental quality system well pre- post-dredging studies within framework integrated zone