Effects of marine traffic on sediment erosion and accumulation in ports: a new model-based methodology

Abstract

The action of propeller-induced jets on the seabed of ports can cause erosion and the deposition of sediment around the port basin, potentially significantly impacting the bottom topography over the medium and long term. If such dynamics are constantly repeated for long periods, a drastic reduction in ships' clearance can result through accretion, or the stability and duration of structures can be threatened through erosion. These sediment-related processes present port management authorities with problems, both in terms of navigational safety and the optimization of management and maintenance activities of the port's bottom and infrastructure. In this study, which is based on integrated numerical modeling, we examine the hydrodynamics and the related bottom sediment erosion and accumulation patterns induced by the action of vessel propellers in the passenger port of Genoa, Italy. The proposed new methodology offers a state-of-the-art science-based tool that can be used to optimize and efficiently plan port management and seabed maintenance.