Dredging in environmentally sensitive areas: remediation of the Chemiehaven, a heavily contaminated "hot spot" in the Port of Rotterdam.
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XVII: "Dredging in a Sensitive Environment" - 2004, Hamburg, Germany
Authors:
Peter de Wit
Abstract: In the nineteen sixties and seventies some large areas in the ports of Rotterdam were heavily contaminated by discharges from local industry. Most of the contaminated sediments were removed some time ago, but one of the remaining "hot spots" was the Chemiehaven. This harbour basin was heavily contaminated by organic micro contaminants. In 2002 the Chemiehaven was cleaned up. Three partners financed the project: Akzo Nobel (responsible for the contamination), the Port of Rotterdam and the Ministry of Public Transport ("problem owners").
When the Slufter confined disposal facility became available for the relocation of heavily contaminated sediment and also contributions to the remediation costs were made by Akzo Nobel (based on social responsibility), the Port of Rotterdam and the Ministry of Transport (problem owners), there was no longer a bottleneck delaying remediation.
The result of the remediation is a cleaned up harbour which, without any risks for humans or the natural environment, can once again sustainably fulfil its harbour function. The strong approach taken in Rotterdam, as in the rest of the Netherlands and the rest of Europe to those responsible for sources of contamination has led to improvements in the quality of the river water so this kind of harbour contamination will no longer occur in the future.
Keywords: Port of Rotterdam, Chemiehaven, remediation, dredging equipment, Slufter disposal site, dredging window, monitoring.