The migration of contaminants through geosynthetic fabric containers utilized in dredging operations

Recent changes in environmental regulations to protect the water column have prohibited the open water disposal of dredged sediment from the New York Harbor. These restrictions have decreased the average amount of dredging by the New York Port Authority by 70% for 1996. As a result, the New York Harbor will lose about a foot of depth each year if the contaminated sediments are not dredged. Decreases in the depth will have a severe economic impact, as larger cargo ships will dock in deeper ports. e of the restrictions and perceived political problems with dredging and open water disposal of the contaminated materials, the New York Port Authority and the Corps of Engineers are investigating the use of geosynthetic fabric containers (GFCs) to reduce the movement of contaminated sediments outside the boundary of the disposal site and to decrease the impact of the sediment on the water column. During the dredging operation, the barge will be lined with the appropriate GFC to filter the dredge sediments. aboratory study investigates the migration of fines and contaminants through GFCs. Contaminated dredges sediment was characterized for the physical and chemical properties. Bench scale filtration and barge simulation tests were conducted on the contaminated sediment and GFC configurations to determine the amount of total suspended solids that would be released to the water column.