Biological and chemical effects of the disposal of dredged material in the Belgian Part of the North Sea (licensing period 2010-2011)

It is important to investigate the effects of dumping of dredged material in the marine environment from ecosystem perspective, because it could lead to different responses of the ecosystem. Therefore, the regular dredging program from ILVO Fisheries is evaluating the impact of these dumping activities at different levels by looking at: i) differences in biological characteristics of the ecosystem components macrobenthos, epibenthos and demersal fish ii) the (bio)accumulation of contaminants in the marine ecosystem as investigated by chemical analysis of sediment and different biota species ii... Mehr ...