Port Everglades is a major seaport located on the southeast coast of Florida in the cities of Hollywood, Dania Beach, and Fort Lauderdale in Broward County, with immediate access to the Atlantic Ocean. A very active navigation port, Port Everglades ranks among the busiest multi-day cruise ports, with approximately 50 cruise ships representing 15 cruise lines. The port is ranked 12th in the United States for international container cargo trade, is ranked 35th nationally in terms of tonnage, and is the top distribution site for South Florida’s gasoline, jet fuel, and other petroleum products.
ANAMAR was contracted by USACE to perform sampling and reporting activities for a Section 103 sediment evaluation. The purpose of this project was to collect and analyze sediment, site water, and elutriate samples from specified project locations to determine the suitability of the proposed dredge material for ocean disposal in the Port Everglades ODMDS as required under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA). Dredging in the project area is needed to ensure continued navigability and maintenance of the port berths and access channels.
Based on the average expected annual dredging volumes, the project area was divided into five dredging units or zones (Zones 1 through 5). This project involved a combination of grab sampling and vibracore sampling depending on sampling depth. ANAMAR coordinated and directed operations for this project and worked closely with USACE to design sampling and analysis schemes, perform sample collection, subcontract vibracoring services and laboratory analyses, and prepare final report deliverables. ANAMAR reviewed all data and produced a report summarizing the results of the physical, chemical, and toxicological testing of sediment, elutriate, water, and tissue samples from the proposed dredge material collected from the project area. ANAMAR also successfully sampled the reference station in >650 feet of water with swift currents by building a customized stabilization frame for a double van veen.