News

At the end of July, we launched a new experiment at Deltares to expand our research on reusing dredged sediment to strengthen saltmarsh resilience.

Previously, blocks of saltmarsh from the Wadden Sea had faced the waves of the Delta Flume as part of the Living Dikes project. Now, their journey continues as we explore how sediment nourishments could support these ecosystems.

This phase focuses on sediment composition- mimicking a clay-rich and sandier dredge at varying depths. By doing so, we aim to uncover which conditions best support saltmarsh survival and growth, helping practitioners choose the most suitable dredge for future projects.

Looking ahead, we’ll build on this work by applying further nourishments over the winter. These trials will help us identify the most effective timing for thin-layer placement projects, providing valuable guidance for future planning.

We’re grateful to everyone who made this setup possible: Deltares for hosting the experiments, Klaei for providing sediment, our technicians who overcame drought-related challenges, and the enthusiastic 2^nd year Earth Science students who weren’t afraid to get muddy in the process.