Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Integrated monitoring of sediment processes in an area of intensive aggregate extraction, Hinder Banks, Belgian part of the North Sea
Van Lancker, V.; Baeye, M.; Evangelinos, D.; Francken, F.; Van den Eynde, D.; De Mesel, I.; Kerckhof, F.; Norro, A.; Van den Branden, R. (2014). Integrated monitoring of sediment processes in an area of intensive aggregate extraction, Hinder Banks, Belgian part of the North Sea, in: De Mol, L. et al. (Ed.) 'Which future for the sand extraction in the Belgian part of the North Sea?'. Study day, 20 October 2014, Belgium Pier - Blankenberge. pp. 59-71
In: De Mol, L.; Vandenreyken, H. (Ed.) (2014). 'Which future for the sand extraction in the Belgian part of the North Sea?'. Study day, 20 October 2014, Belgium Pier - Blankenberge. FPS Economy, Continental Shelf Service: Brussel. 117 pp., more

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 

Abstract
    Integrated monitoring of the effects of aggregate extraction is needed to reach Good Environmental Status of the marine environment by 2020 (European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD); 2008/56/EC). This requires increased process and system knowledge that incorporates both natural and human-induced variability. Additionally, when exploitation is within or near Habitat Directive Areas, appropriate assessments are needed of all stressors (92/43/EEC). Recently, new extraction activities started in a far offshore sandbank area in the Belgian part of the North Sea, just north of a Habitat Directive Area. Therefore, a dedicated monitoring programme was set-up, with focus on assessing changes in seafloor integrity and hydrographic conditions, two descriptors that define Good Environmental Status.Since extraction started in 2012, monitoring results are short-term and relate to: (1) natural variability; (2) sediment plume formation and deposition, differentiating between small and large trailing suction hopper dredgers; (3) far–field impacts, with focus on the nearby Habitat Directive Area, where ecologically valuable gravel beds occur. New insights were revealed on the three levels, though most striking was enrichment of fines in the coarse permeable sands of the gravel area. No direct relationship could yet be made between the intensive extractions and the mud enrichment, though MSFD requires further monitoring of the gravel beds, since favourable colonization and growth of epifauna is critical for the maintenance and increase of biodiversity in the Belgian part of the North Sea.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors