Stabilization of dredged marine sediment using biopolymer

The frequent dredging of sediments from port areas often leads to the rapid accumulation of excess material, potentially resulting in landfill challenges. Dredged marine sediments typically exhibit high water content, a significant proportion of fine-grained soil, limited bearing capacity, substantial settlement tendencies, and low shear strength. Addressing these issues is imperative for construction projects on such soil types. Recent trends in soil stabilization have witnessed the rising popularity of sustainable bio-binders, particularly biopolymers, owing to their environmentally friendly attributes and extensive use in various geoenvironmental applications. This study investigates the utilization of four different types of biopolymers for the stabilization of marine dredged sediment sourced from the Port of Koper, Slovenia. The research investigates the influence of biopolymer incorporation on the geotechnical properties of biopolymer-treated sediment through Atterberg limits and cone falling tests. In addition, samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to elucidate the interaction between biopolymer and the sediment. The findings demonstrate a significant enhancement of undrained shear strength with the addition of biopolymers to the sediment. The formation of hydrogel within the soil pores not only increases the sediment consistency but also positively affects the soil's shear strength.