Acoustic Measurements of Suspended Soils

Category:

Operating Procedures

Description:

A reliable method has been developed for the measurement of suspended solids concentrations

using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) in addition to its design capability of

measuring current speed and direction. This method has been used to study sediment plume

generation and decay around dredged material disposal operations in Europe and Asia, in

addition to studies of natural sediment transport.

The application of Doppler current profilers in measuring suspended solids concentrations during

dredging operations are described. Also included are the system limitations, accuracy, and data

processing procedures descriptions.

Current usage:

1) Sediment plume generation during water injection dredging at Kohlfleet Basin in the Port of

Hamburg.

2) Plume generation during disposal operations. Dredge disposal from trailing suction hopper

dredges in Hong Kong and UK.

3) Plume generation during disposal operations. Barge disposal in Germany and Hong Kong.

4) Natural sediment flux in River Mersey, UK.

Despite some limitations arising from instrument design and performance and the extent to

which site conditions may influence measurements, the combined measurement of suspended

solids concentration and current speed and direction using ADCP's has been developed to the

point where a high degree of accuracy can be obtained. The method permits large-scale, dynamic

sediment transport processes to be quantified at a level of detail that is difficult to achieve using

other methods. This approach has been used to study the migration and decay of sediment

plumes and dredged material disposal.

Reviewer:

C. Woolley

Company / Organization(s):

Access Restricted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Projects Completed:

Location:

Various sites throughout UK, Europe, and SE Asia

Information Sources:

Literature:

Title:

"Acoustic Measurement of Suspended Solids for Monitoring of Dredgeing

and Dredge Material Disposal"

Author:

J.M Land, R.N. Bray

Month:

June

Year:

1998

LitType:

Report/Proceedings

Publisher:

WODCON XV, Las Vegas

Page:

105

Interviews:

Interviewee:

Rick Sheets

Interviewer:

Cal Woolley

Interview Date:

9/22/98

Interview Location:

Telcon