It is also used as a way to replenish sand on some public beaches, where sand has been lost because of coastal erosion.

This technique is often used to keep waterways navigable. These environmental impacts can significantly hurt marine wildlife populations, contaminate sources of drinking water and interrupt economic activities such as fishing.įreebase Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votesĭredging is an excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location.

Dredging systems can either be shore-based, brought to a location based on barges, or built into purpose built vessels.ĭredging has significant environmental impacts: it can disturb marine sediments, leading to both short- and long-term water pollution, destroy important seabed ecosystems, and can release human-sourced toxins captured in the sediment. Dredges have been classified as suction or mechanical. In all but a few situations the excavation is undertaken by a specialist floating plant, known as a dredger.ĭredging is carried out in many different locations and for many different purposes, but the main objectives are usually to recover material of value or use, or to create a greater depth of water. Possible reasons for dredging include improving existing water features reshaping land and water features to alter drainage, navigability, and commercial use constructing dams, dikes, and other controls for streams and shorelines and recovering valuable mineral deposits or marine life having commercial value. Wikipedia Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votesĭredging is the excavation of material from a water environment.

What does dredging mean