Dredging & Silt Retention Articles
When dredging or pumping silt to a silt retention basin or to geo-textile dewatering bags there are a lot of techniques and issues envolved. Specificallty, the type of sediment and the relative particle size; the type of polymers used (if any), and the chosen site for receiving and dewatering the sediment.
If a settling basin or containment is not readily available then geo-textile bags are ultilized. In this case a polymer, coagulant or flocculant is required to instantly clarify the water and prevent the silt from plugging the pours of the dewatering fabric.
Below are various articles found on the internet discussing the options, potential toxicity and methods of using polymers. These articles are readily found on the internet; you can do internet research by looking up any of the key words in combination with polymers; or you can refer to the PDF articles assembled below.
Here is a very concise article on what is involved with dredging a lake. It is published by the Illinois EPA.
lake-dredging.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1.1 MB]
This is an excellent article that goes through the many aspects and options of dewatering sludge. It is produced by SNF Mining which is the worlds largest manufacture of polymer flocculants.
Sludge-Dewatering-E.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [941.9 KB]
This is a great fact sheet which overviews particle sizes of clay and colloids as well as the polymers that are used to clarify the water and precipitate these silt particles.
https://www.austieca.com.au/documents/item/818
Chemical coagulants and flocculants fact[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [94.0 KB]
A good academic paper on impact of using polymers when working with silt and sediments.
https://www.austieca.com.au/documents/item/818
The Positive Impact of Polymers on Sedim[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [1.4 MB]
Article in Terra et Aqua on various projects that used polymers and the positive benefits that resulted.
Some proven benefits of-polymer use in t[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [1.7 MB]
This is a small review of the research by Lagoon Pumping & Dredging when asked to comment on the toxicity of using polymers in lakes that have aquatic fish life. The cited article "Overview of the Effects of Residual Flocculants on Aquatic Receiving Environments" is available on the next article on our website following this PDF download.
Ecotoxicity of Cationic Polymers.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [68.7 KB]
This is a great article on the ecotoxicological effects on the environment, specifically that of aquatic life in lake and sea environments.
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/technicalpublications/TP226%20Overview%20of%20the%20effects%20of%20residual%20flocculants%20on%20aquatic%20receiving%20environments.pdf
Overview of the effects of residual floc[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [178.8 KB]
This is the common polymer used when clarifying water from silt and sediment removed from ponds, lakes and other natural bodies of water. It is cationic or has a positive charge which will attract the negatively charged sediment, silt, clay, colloids and turbidity of the lake or pond. This will help clarify the water and cause flocculation of the silt particles which then easily drop out of suspension and stay in the geo-textile dewatering bags.
FBS 10909 SDS.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [367.8 KB]
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