Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior

This study explores the valorization of marine sediments as a substitute for natural sand in cementitious matrices for maritime applications. The results indicate that increasing sediment content leads to higher water-accessible porosity, resulting in materials that are less dense than the reference...

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Main Authors: Bader Bouzar, Yannick Mamindy-Pajany, Nor-edine Abriak, Mahfoud Benzerzour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-10-01
Series:Green Technologies and Sustainability
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949736125000430
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author Bader Bouzar
Yannick Mamindy-Pajany
Nor-edine Abriak
Mahfoud Benzerzour
author_facet Bader Bouzar
Yannick Mamindy-Pajany
Nor-edine Abriak
Mahfoud Benzerzour
author_sort Bader Bouzar
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the valorization of marine sediments as a substitute for natural sand in cementitious matrices for maritime applications. The results indicate that increasing sediment content leads to higher water-accessible porosity, resulting in materials that are less dense than the reference ones. However, mechanical performance remains acceptable for many maritime applications, even at high substitution rates exceeding 50%. The microscopic analysis confirms that the sediment is mainly composed of quartz — similar to natural sand — the​ physical properties of the two materials diverge considerably. The sediment exhibits higher porosity, greater water absorption, and lower bulk density, largely due to its finer particle size distribution and more heterogeneous morphology. The sediment morphology influences both the fresh and hardened states of the mortars, particularly impacting porosity and workability. Compressive strength tests identified the optimal formulation containing 60% sediment, achieving compressive strengths of 17 MPa at 7 days, 31 MPa at 28 days, and 35 MPa at 90 days in freshwater curing, with comparable results in saltwater. The material also demonstrated a robust dynamic modulus, suitable for long-term applications. Environmental assessments, including leaching tests performed according to NF EN 12457-2, confirmed that the sediment-based mortars are inert. All concentrations of trace metals and anions remained well below the regulatory thresholds for inert waste, even after 90 days of curing. The results further show that the sediment does not release harmful pollutants in marine or terrestrial environments, making it environmentally safe.
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publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
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spelling doaj-art-d978362ea2cc44ac9f00630b7e8d2e232025-08-20T01:55:38ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Green Technologies and Sustainability2949-73612025-10-013410020910.1016/j.grets.2025.100209Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behaviorBader Bouzar0Yannick Mamindy-Pajany1Nor-edine Abriak2Mahfoud Benzerzour3Corresponding author at: IMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Centre for Materials and Processes, Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France.; IMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Centre for Materials and Processes, Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, Univ., ULR 4515 – LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, FranceIMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Centre for Materials and Processes, Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, Univ., ULR 4515 – LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, FranceIMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Centre for Materials and Processes, Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, Univ., ULR 4515 – LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, FranceIMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Centre for Materials and Processes, Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, Univ., ULR 4515 – LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, FranceThis study explores the valorization of marine sediments as a substitute for natural sand in cementitious matrices for maritime applications. The results indicate that increasing sediment content leads to higher water-accessible porosity, resulting in materials that are less dense than the reference ones. However, mechanical performance remains acceptable for many maritime applications, even at high substitution rates exceeding 50%. The microscopic analysis confirms that the sediment is mainly composed of quartz — similar to natural sand — the​ physical properties of the two materials diverge considerably. The sediment exhibits higher porosity, greater water absorption, and lower bulk density, largely due to its finer particle size distribution and more heterogeneous morphology. The sediment morphology influences both the fresh and hardened states of the mortars, particularly impacting porosity and workability. Compressive strength tests identified the optimal formulation containing 60% sediment, achieving compressive strengths of 17 MPa at 7 days, 31 MPa at 28 days, and 35 MPa at 90 days in freshwater curing, with comparable results in saltwater. The material also demonstrated a robust dynamic modulus, suitable for long-term applications. Environmental assessments, including leaching tests performed according to NF EN 12457-2, confirmed that the sediment-based mortars are inert. All concentrations of trace metals and anions remained well below the regulatory thresholds for inert waste, even after 90 days of curing. The results further show that the sediment does not release harmful pollutants in marine or terrestrial environments, making it environmentally safe.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949736125000430SedimentValorizationStabilizationWasteManagement
spellingShingle Bader Bouzar
Yannick Mamindy-Pajany
Nor-edine Abriak
Mahfoud Benzerzour
Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior
Green Technologies and Sustainability
Sediment
Valorization
Stabilization
Waste
Management
title Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior
title_full Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior
title_fullStr Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior
title_full_unstemmed Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior
title_short Valorization of dredged sediments: Influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior
title_sort valorization of dredged sediments influence of sediment content on mechanical properties and environmental behavior
topic Sediment
Valorization
Stabilization
Waste
Management
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949736125000430
work_keys_str_mv AT baderbouzar valorizationofdredgedsedimentsinfluenceofsedimentcontentonmechanicalpropertiesandenvironmentalbehavior
AT yannickmamindypajany valorizationofdredgedsedimentsinfluenceofsedimentcontentonmechanicalpropertiesandenvironmentalbehavior
AT noredineabriak valorizationofdredgedsedimentsinfluenceofsedimentcontentonmechanicalpropertiesandenvironmentalbehavior
AT mahfoudbenzerzour valorizationofdredgedsedimentsinfluenceofsedimentcontentonmechanicalpropertiesandenvironmentalbehavior