Paul Erftemeijer
Paul graduated in 1993 with a PhD in Marine Ecology from Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands. He was worked for over 25 years as an applied scientist and in a consulting role with industry and other clients focusing on the prevention of human impacts and restoration of critical marine and coastal ecosystems worldwide, in particular in relation to dredging operations. After working for Wetlands International, DGIS, Deltares and Jacobs, Paul now operates as an independent consultant (DAMCO Consulting) and is affiliated as adjunct research fellow at the University of Western Australia.
Articles By Paul Erftemeijer
The importance of flocculation in dredge plume modelling
Numerical models are often used to predict the magnitude and behaviour of dredge plumes to help assess and manage any environmental risks. To provide a realistic prediction of plumes resulting from dredging, numerical models require information on the rate at which sediment is suspended by the dredging, along with the characteristics of the suspended sediment. Previous investigations have shown that in the marine environment, fine-grained sediment suspended by natural processes and dredge-related activities are typically present as aggregated particles known as flocs. This article considers the importance of including the process of flocculation in dredge plume models.
Creating mangrove habitat for shoreline protection
Over the past decades, there has been a growing interest in exploring innovative ways to minimise the environmental footprint of coastal developments and in nature-based approaches for shoreline protection. At Mubarraz Island near Abu Dhabi (UAE), an international oil company beneficially reused ~12 million m³ of dredged material to protect pipelines, construct a causeway and create mangrove habitat to manage coastal erosion. This ‘Working with Nature’ approach has provided a cost-effective nature-based solution for shoreline protection, with added benefits for biodiversity conservation.