Valorization of Contaminated Sediments in Construction Materials
Summary
Globally, dredged and other contaminated sediments—often viewed solely as waste—present both environmental liabilities and resource opportunities. Large volumes of fine-grained material accumulate in ports, reservoirs and riverbeds, frequently containing organic matter or trace metals that restrict direct disposal. Valorization strategies aim to transform these sediments into functional components for construction, ranging from partial replacements for sand or cement in concrete to novel binder systems for road subgrades and mortars. Key processes include thermal or chemical activation to unlock pozzolanic properties, solidification–stabilisation to immobilise pollutants, and combination with industrial by-products such as ground granulated blast-furnace slag. The resulting materials can meet strength and durability requirements for maritime infrastructure, road foundations and masonry units while reducing the carbon footprint and preserving natural aggregates. Challenges remain in ensuring consistent performance amid variability in sediment chemistry and texture, compliance with leaching thresholds, and optimisation of mix designs for workability and long-term durability. Advances in characterisation techniques and mix-design methodologies are fostering a shift towards a circular economy in which sediments are re-integrated into the built environment rather than consigned to landfills or lagoons.
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Valorization of Contaminated Sediments in Construction Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in valorization of contaminated sediments in construction materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Dredged sediments: Fine-grained materials removed from watercourses or reservoirs that often contain organic matter, clays and trace contaminants.
Pozzolanic activity: The ability of siliceous or aluminous materials to react with calcium hydroxide in the presence of water to form cementitious compounds.
Alkali activation: A chemical treatment that uses alkaline solutions to dissolve aluminosilicate precursors, leading to the formation of geopolymeric or hybrid binders.
Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS): A by-product of iron production that, when finely ground, exhibits latent hydraulic properties suitable as a supplementary cementitious material.
References
- Durability of sustainable marine sediment concrete. Developments in the Built Environment (2023).
- Co-valorization of sediments incorporating high and low organic matter with alkali-activated GGBS and hydraulic binder for use in road construction. Journal of Building Engineering (2023).
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