Modeling study of dredging induced sediment plume transport in Hamilton Harbour

Abstract

To assess and predict the direction and range of a dredging induced contaminated sediment plume on the surrounding environment, a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and mud transport modeling system MIKE 3-FM was used in the Randle Reef area of Hamilton Harbour. Simulations were carried out with the typical local and maximum winds under which the dredging operation would proceed. The dredge plume travel pattern and range in both horizontal and vertical planes are examined under various wind conditions and model mesh resolutions. It was found that the simulated plume extents were very sensitive to transport model mesh resolution due to the additional numerical advection induced in the calculations. Detailed discussion of this particular issue has not been observed in other publications. The results of this simulation provide useful information for remediation project managers in planning and guiding the environmental monitoring of dredging operations. In addition, the methodology used in this study can be adapted to other dredging projects.