The Environmental Effects of the Innovative Ejectors Plant Technology for the Eco-Friendly Sediment Management in Harbors

A sediment bypassing plant based on innovative jet pump, ejectors, has been tested in the first-of-a-kind demo application at harbor of Cervia (Italy, Northern Adriatic Sea). The ejector is a pump aimed to reduce accumulation navigation channels and coastal areas. Herein we present results first study assessing potential ecological effects ejectors plant. Sediment characteristics, benthic, fish assemblages before after activation have analyzed putatively impacted (the removal discharge) areas four control locations, one time two times activation. Ejectors operation resulted reduction mud organic matter content sediment, as well changes shell debris amount Abundance species richness benthic macroinvertebrates, initially reduced areas, probably due previous repeated dredging, returned higher values during continuous operation. Higher diversity fauna was observed area period. Observed dynamics status marine habitat suggest that an could represent eco-friendly solution alternative dredging operations solve siltation problems.