THE EVALUATION OF BENTHIC ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT BY THE GRANULATED COAL ASH AND DREDGED SEDIMENT

Abstract

 The application of dredged sediment is required to supply nutrients into the construction of artificial tidal flats.Several previous studies demonstrated that Granulated Coal Ash (GCA) -induced changes in the physicochemical properties of tidal flats promoted the supply of nutrients in coastal sediments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the GCA-induced changes in the physicochemical properties of dredged sediment. The field investigation was conducted to observe the environmental changes of the tidal flats due to GCA in an artificial tidal flat created by dredged sediment behind the breakwater of Hiroshima Bay. The results showed that high water content was retained in the dredged sediment. On the other hand, GCA promoted the decomposition of organic matter in the dredged sediment, increasing the porosity of the surface on the tidal flats.