Spray Dredging - IMS Dredge - Dredge Study

Spray Dredging
 
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By utilizing the IMS Bi-Directional Broadcaster Discharge Attachment on your Versi-Dredge system you will be able to use the Versi-Dredge for beneficial "spray dredging" of nutrients on marshes and wetlands adjacent to the waterway in the dredging area. Many studies have proven the beneficial use of spray dredging.
According to a study by the Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute at Louisiana State University:Sediment additions, either by natural or artificial means, represent one of the most promising and long term of the proposed actions to restore and protect wetlands.
Organic matter accumulation and sediment addition interact to prevent salt marsh submergence.
Spreading dredged material out on the marsh surface is one of the methods that has been proposed for supplying mineral matter to sediment starved marshes.
In addition, dredged material is being used in marshes to mitigate for the impacts of canal dredging.
Plants in the sediment affected areas showed a positive response to increasing depths of added sediment.
Both vegetative and physical parameters responded to sediment additions. Plant height and cover were great with increasing sediment deposition.
Full CONCLUSION of Study: Sediment additions appear to have successfully rehabilitated this deteriorating salt marsh. With sediment additions salt marsh plant growth improved due to increased soil aeration, nutrient and mineral matter content.
Areas receiving intermediated and high amounts of sediment showed increased plant cover. Furthermore, the highest SAR's are likely to be the most long-lived because of the effects of subsidence and sea level rise.
Thus, sediment additions could play a positive role in the management of sediment starved marshes, although successful enhancement may be mediated by a number of other considerations.
According to Americas Wetland Resources: In the past, sediment dredged from the bottom was either lost (e.g., over the edge of the continental shelf) or randomly dumped by hopper dredges.
The new philosophy is to place the valuable sediments where they will best restore wetlands. (view entire study)
Spray dredging should be encouraged. This technique requires a special type of dredge than can remove the soil and spray it over the adjacent marsh up to 300 ft. away, eliminating the production of spoil banks by bucket dredges while at the same time adding to the soil content of the marsh.
Below are 2 videos showing IMS Versi-Dredges in action using the Broadcaster Discharge Attachment for beneficial spray dredging activities: IMS7012 HP Versi-Dredge w/ Bi-Directional Broadcaster
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IMS5012 LP Versi-Dredge w/ Single Broadcaster