Dredged materials must be managed rigorously to avoid impacts on the marine environment. Their relocation in waters of the Maritime–Terrestrial Public Domain (MTPD) requires a comprehensive characterisation—physical, chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological—to ensure environmental safety and compliance with current regulations. The challenge was to apply robust, up-to-date methodologies to properly assess these materials and support decision-making in strategic ports in the Basque Country.
AZTI implemented a comprehensive protocol based on the Guidelines for the Characterisation of Dredged Material and its Relocation in MTPD Waters (Interministerial Commission for Marine Strategies, 2021).
The work included:
Field sampling following representative and controlled criteria.
Laboratory physico-chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological analyses, applying advanced techniques to assess contaminants, grain size distribution, organic matter, bioaccumulation, and effects on marine organisms.
Data processing and interpretation to classify materials and define environmentally appropriate management options.
A holistic approach that enables accurate assessment of associated risks and the proposal of safe relocation alternatives.
Comprehensive characterisation of dredged materials from the Port Authorities of Bilbao and Pasaia.
Evidence-based environmental management recommendations aligned with Spanish and European regulations.
Enhanced safety, traceability, and sustainability in dredging and relocation operations.
A project that consolidates AZTI as a trusted technical partner for the environmental management of sediments in port and coastal areas.
Sectors: Maritime and port infrastructure
Research lines: Environmental management of seas and coasts
Research sublines: Impact and environmental vigilance in the marine environment