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Sediment Quality and Water Framework Directive from a European perspective Gothenburg September 28, 2005

Sediment Quality and Water Framework Directive from a European perspective Gothenburg September 28, 2005 . SedNet and Port of Rotterdam example.

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Sediment Quality and Water Framework Directive from a European perspective Gothenburg September 28, 2005

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  1. Sediment Quality and Water Framework Directive from a European perspective Gothenburg September 28, 2005 SedNet and Port of Rotterdamexample ir. Tiedo Vellinga Director Environment, Safety and Spatial Planning Maasvlakte 2 Port of Rotterdam Associate Professor Ports and Environment Delft University of Technology

  2. The demand-driven, European Sediment Research Network www.SedNet.org

  3. Contaminated Sediments in European River Basins SedNet Mission A European network for environmentally, socially and economically viable practices of sediment management on river basin scale, funded by European Commission, DG-Research as Thematic Network (2002 – 2004)

  4. Outline of presentation • SedNet 2005+ • Deliverables and Modalities • SedNet vision on: • Sediment (role, threats, impacts of contamination) • Sediment management • European policy • Port of Rotterdam example • Changing perspective on sediment management • SedNet conclusions and recommendations

  5. SedNet 2005+ Identity:- network of sediment professionals - independent platform for expert-advise - positioned between science and end-users/stakeholders Focus shifted:- sediment quality and quantity issues - river basin scale - including: estuarine/marine sediments, soil erosion and re-erosion Aim:- disseminate products and especially our messages - balance sediment research demand & supply - be the window on sediment issues to EC DG Environment

  6. River BasinCommissions … PIANC CEDA … Network of Strategic Alliances/Partnerships ESPO LOICZ SETAC NICOLE UNESCO DGE SedNet Steering Group:Sponsors & COs Secretariat(CO: TNO) Knowledge oriented (JOINT) ACTIVITIES Management oriented SETAC sediment WG(CO: Susanne Heise) UNESCO-ISI(CO: Jos Brils) … National Networks:- Spain- UK- … • Important EC Projects: • Aquaterra- …

  7. Deliverables to EC • Free of charge, through website: • Contaminated Sediments in European River Basins • Who-is-who • Commercially published: • Scientific books on specific sediment management issues (end 2005)

  8. Four scientific books (end 2005) • Sediment management at the river basin scaleedited by Dr. Phil Owens, Cranfield University, UK • Sediment Quality and Impact Assessment of Pollutantsedited by Prof. Dr. Damià Barceló, CSIC, Spain • Dredged material treatmentedited by Dr. Peppe Bortone, ARPA Emilia Romagna, Italy • Risk Management and Communicationedited by Dr. Susanne Heise, TU Hamburg-Harburg, Germany

  9. Modalities • Website: www.SedNet.org • Annual SedNet conference at home base in Venice • Workshops (see website) • Bi-Monthly E-newsletter, 900 receivers, world-wide • Promotion at conferences, workshops etc. • Joint Programme of Activities (JPA) • SedNet associated Journal of Soil and Sediments (JSS) • Participation/cooperation with UNESCO ISI • Advice EU policy development & assist implementation

  10. Too much sediment Too little sediment Sediment as resource Obstruction of channels Rivers fill and flood Reefs get smothered Turbidity Beaches erode Riverbanks erode Wetlands are lost River profile degradation Construction material Sand for beaches Wetland nourishment Soil enrichment Habitat and food for life Sediment = essential and integrated part of our river basins The role of sediment (Martin 2002)

  11. Quality related: Contamination: due to their nature many hazardous chemicals stick to sediment Main threats Quantity related: Too much or too little sediment (previous slide)

  12. Environmental impacts of contamination • Decreased abundance of species  decreased biodiversity • Secondary poisoning through consumption of contaminated species • Decreased water quality (sediment & water quality are linked) • But, at what sediment contamination level do these effects occur?

  13. chemical analysis (bio)assays field inventory ecosystem impacts a.o. toxic effects contaminants hazard risk impact But, we know by now: hazard = risk = impact (we lack understanding) Assessment of contaminated sediment Method: Detects: Assesses:

  14. Socio-economic impacts of contamination • Decreased valuation of sediment: ‘its toxic waste’ (while it is a valuable resource) • Complicating management of dredged material (next slide) • But, no common perception of ‘contamination’: • Typically countries along same river use different methods • No uniformity in quality standards or guideline values • Thus a lack of inter-comparability

  15. Port of Rotterdam example

  16. Rhine source control program (POR I : 1984 - 1994) • Source identification and load assessment • Contaminant balances • Legal research • Information campaigns • Dialogues and agreements

  17. Results agreement VCI - Rotterdam Compound Discharges 1984 (t) 2000 2005 Red. % ’84-‘05 Zinc 450 100 65 86 % Chromium 150 20 10 93 % Copper 80 25 16 80 % Cadmium 1.2 0.5 0.15 88 % Mercury 0.6 0.14 0.10 83 % AOX 1500 300 150 90 %

  18. Rhine Research Project II Main objective: • Further reduction of the contamination of the dredged material, as benefits the concept of a sustainable clean port and environment Outcomes 1st report: • Diffuse sources are problematic(including sleeping and seeping sources) • Sediment management on river basin scale

  19. Approach of the study (fuzzy) classification of 1. substances of concern 2. areas of concern 3. areas of risk under uncertainty consideration.

  20. Substances of concern (step 1) Cd and Hg: High bioaccumulative potential, high toxicity.

  21. Areas of concern(step 2) Classification of areas of concern: Class 1: potential hazard Class 2: potentially high hazard Class 3: potentially high hazard with high certainty.

  22. Areas of risk(step 3) Taking into account the probability, that the sediment is resuspended and transported to the Port, and that it still has a concentration that may exceed the level for relocation of sediment at sea. Evidence for high risk Evidence for risk

  23. http://www.tu-harburg.de/ut/bis/Projects.htm

  24. Outlook • Balanced action in level of protection (sea – river; EU Marine Strategy – EU Water Framework Directive) • Need for management of historic contaminated sediments in the (EU) river basins (f.e. ICPR) • River basin wide water and sediment management concepts are under development but should be elaborated upon • SedNet and Dutch German Exchange as networks to put this issue forward

  25. European Environmental Policy (Water Framework Directive) • historic contamination recognized as source • 2009: establishment of measures against contaminating sources at river basins • No-deterioration principle, which implies: Presentation of evidence, that management techniques do not lead to deterioration (f.e. relocation of contaminated sediment into rivers) • Sediments are moving into the focus of EU

  26. Rhine: - lot of experience • Sarno: • heavily contaminated- not much source control Danube: - 18 countries - from the EU ‘richest’ to ‘poorest’ Sustainable Sediment Management: challenge

  27. Changing perspective Water Framework Directive implementation:Sediment is integrated and essential part of river systems, thus scope will shift from from local to river basin scale sediment management From hazard to risk based management:Consensus is growing that it is better to look at actual risks or impacts, rather than on checking whether pre-defined sediment quality standards are exceeded Stakeholders:Their involvement in environmental policy development and implementation processes will become more and more important

  28. Sustainable Sediment Management(according to SedNet) Find solutions: • in the context of the whole river system • carefully balancing environmental and socio-economical values • in increased interaction with stakeholders • not resulting in up-/downstream impacts, not now or in the future • embracing the whole soil-water system (integrated solutions) • respecting natural processes and functioning

  29. Conclusions • Sediment is a valuable environmental and socio-economic resource • As sediment belongs in our rivers, relocation of dredged material is the preferred management option • But, although quality is improving, relocation is restricted in many cases. Thus we should continue source reduction efforts • And we have to manage our legacy of the past • European policies only provide a fragmented basis, to protect and manage sediment resources • Effective protection and proper management deserves a more focussed approach

  30. Recommendations EU policy development:Integrate sustainable sediment management into the European Water Framework Directive Sediment management:Find solutions that carefully balance the socio-economic and environmental values and that are set within the context of the whole river system Research:Improve our understanding of relation between contamination (hazard) and its actual impact to ecology and develop strategies to assess and manage the risks involved

  31. SedNet partners Venice Port Authority Project funding 2002-2004 Project partners 2005+ Free and Hanseatic City of HamburgHamburg Port Authority European Commission Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TU Hamburg-Harburg www.SedNet.org Rijkswaterstaat

  32. Thank you for your attention: Willingness to support? 1. Can you endorse the outcomes of SedNet? 2. Do you have recommendations for SedNet? 3. Can you support SedNet? 4. You can join SedNet!

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