Acoustic Observations of Bottom Surge From Dredged Material Discharge in the Open Ocean

Bottom surges generated from dredged material discharges in the open ocean have been observed using high frequency acoustic concentration profilers in several field studies during the past five years. the locations, water depths, bottom slopes, oceanographic conditions, and dredged material composition differed from study to study. Observed surges at three dredged material disposal sites may develop more than one surge peak for a single discharge. for water depths of the order of 10 m, surge height of the leading peak was estimated to be about one quarter of the water depth. for water of greater depth, of the order of 100 m, surge height reached 70 m, about 70% of the water depth. Surge height is established instantaneously when dredged material hits the bottom, and remains relatively constant as the surge advances horizontally. Total surge length reached 150 m for water depths of 10 m when measured from the impact point to the leading edge. for water depths of more than 100 m, the surge length reached more than 100 m. Length of the leading surge peak was as large as 45 m at this water depth.

Dimensional analysis was applied to relate the surge height of the leading surge peak to discharge parameters and oceanographic conditions. Results showed that the ratio of surge height to water depth was proportional to 1/10 power of the ratio of discharge volume to the third power of water depth.