Research of the enironmental consequences of the Sigma-plan, dredging activities and harbor extension in the schelde; part 3: sediment and suspended matter.

This project under the framework of "onderzoek Milieu Effecten van het Sigmaplan (OMES". OMES entails a multidisciplinary study of the environmental consequences of human interference in the Scheldt Estuary (Belgium). More specifically attention is given to effects of the Sigmaplan, dredging activities and harbour extension in the Zeeschelde, on habits and pollutions. The complete research project consists of eight (8) major aspects relating to the ponthly monitoring of the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the pelagic, intertidal and subtidal areas as well as of the lateral load of the Zeeschelde and its tributaries. The obtained database aims to develop an ecological model and to put the model into practice. This multidisciplinary research project is carried out by partners from Universiteit Antwerpen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universiteit Gent, Université Libre de Bruxelles and Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse (France). Our research task mainly deals with the physical and sedimentological study of the Scheldt Estuary including water flow characteristics, suspended solid concentrations and loads, the physical properties of the suspended solid, as well as the sediment accumulation rates on marshes.