Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-vvkck Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T01:09:10.242Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Geological characteristics and geotechnical properties of Eocene and Quaternary deposits on the Belgian continental shelf: synthesis in the context of offshore wind farming

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2016

S. Le Bot ,
V. Van Lancker ,
S. Deleu ,
M. De Batist ,
J.P. Henriet  and
W. Haegeman
S. Le Bot
Affiliation:
Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Geology and Soil Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, 9000 - Ghent, Belgium
V. Van Lancker
Affiliation:
Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Geology and Soil Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, 9000 - Ghent, Belgium
S. Deleu
Affiliation:
Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Geology and Soil Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, 9000 - Ghent, Belgium
M. De Batist
Affiliation:
Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Geology and Soil Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, 9000 - Ghent, Belgium
J.P. Henriet
Affiliation:
Renard Centre of Marine Geology, Geology and Soil Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, 9000 - Ghent, Belgium
W. Haegeman
Affiliation:
Laboratorium Grondmechanica, Civiele Techniek, Ghent University, Technologiepark 905, 9052 - Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The present study consists of a synthesis of the lithostratigraphy, geotechnical properties, geometry and distribution of Eocene and Quaternary deposits of the Belgian continental shelf. It is based on available large datasets (seismics, cores, cone penetration tests) and their interpretations synthesised from numerous studies from the last 20 years. A significant effort has been focused on data digitisation and integration into appropriate GIS software packages in order to compare the data in a much more dynamic and flexible way. New insights have been proposed on the lithostratigraphy and geotechnical properties of offshore and onland deposits.

An application is presented for the selection of wind farm implantation sites. Geological and geotechnical aspects of direct interest for wind farm implantation site selection have been focused on, such as the stability of the offshore wind turbine structures and the minimization of environmental impacts on the seabed. Sites suitable for wind turbines using monopile structures on the Belgian continental shelf are proposed.

Keywords

Belgian continental shelfEoceneQuaternaryseismic stratigraphylithostratigraphydeposit geometrygeotechnicswind turbines
Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 84 , Special Issue 2: Upper Cenozoic stratigraphy of the southern North Sea and Baltic basins , July 2005 , pp. 147 - 160
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2005

Footnotes

*

Present adress: UMR CNRS 6143 Morphodynamique continentale et côtière, University of Rouen, 76821 - Mont Saint Aignan Cedex. Email: sophie.lebot@univ-rouen.fr (corresponding author)

References

Baeteman, C. & Van Strijdonck, M., 1989. Radiocarbon dates on peat from the Holocene coastal deposits in West Belgium. In: Baeteman, C. (ed.): Quaternary sea-level investigations from Belgium. Ministerie van Economische Zaken, Geologische Dienst van België (Brussel): 59–91.Google Scholar
Baeteman, C. & Denys, L., 1997. Holocene shoreline and sea-level data from the Belgian coast. Paleoclimate Research 21: 49–74.Google Scholar
Balson, P.S., Laban, C., Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., Baeteman, C. & Paepe, R., 1992. Ostend. Sheet 51°N-02°E. Quaternary geology. 1:250 000 map series. BGS, RGD, BGD.Google Scholar
Berné, S., Trentesaux, A., Stolk, A., Missiaen, T. & De Batist, M., 1994. Architecture and long term evolution of a tidal sandbank: the Middelkerke Bank (southern North Sea). Marine Geology 121: 57–72.Google Scholar
Budhu, M., 1999. Soil mechanics and foundations. John Wiley & Sons (New York): 586 pp.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Crosby, A., Balson, P.S., Jeffery, D.H., Lott, G.K., Bulat, J. & Harrison, D.J., 1992. United Kingdom Offshore Regional Report: the Geology of the Southern North Sea. HMSO for the British Geological Survey (London).Google Scholar
CA-OWEE, 2002. Technology of OWE. http://www.offshorewindenergy.org.Google Scholar
De Batist, M., 1989. Seismo-stratigrafie en Struktuur van het Paleogeen in de Zuidelijke Noordzee. PhD Thesis Thesis, Rijksuniversiteit Gent: 107 pp.Google Scholar
De Batist, M., De Bruyne, H., Henriet, J.P. & Mostaert, F., 1989. Stratigraphie analysis of the Ypresian off the Belgian coast. In: Henriet, J.P. & De Moor, G. (ed.): The Quaternary and Tertiary Geology of the Southern Bight, North Sea. Belgian Geological Survey (Brussels): 75–88.Google Scholar
De Batist, M. & Henriet, J.P., 1995. Seismic seguence stratigraphy of the Palaeogene offshore of Belgium, southern North Sea. Journal of the Geological Society of London 152: 27–40.Google Scholar
Deleu, S., Van Lancker, V., Koerkerke, G. & Vanden Eynde, D., 2004. Morpho-dynamic evolution of the kink of an offshore tidal sandbank: the Westhinder Bank (Southern North Sea). Continental Shelf Research 24: 1587–1610.Google Scholar
De Maeyer, P., Wartel, S. & De Moor, G., 1985. Internal structures of the Nieuwpoort Bank, Southern North Sea. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 19 (1): 15–18.Google Scholar
De Moor, G., 1986. Geomorfologisch onderzoek op het Belgisch Continental Plat. Tijdschrift van de Belg. Ver. Aardr. Studies BEVAS 2: 133–174.Google Scholar
De Moor, G. & Lanckneus, J., 1993. Sediment mobility and morphodynamics of the Middelkerke Bank. Final report MAST Project-0025-C: Relationship between seafloor currents and sediment mobility in the southern North Sea. University Ghent, RUMACOG: 255 pp.Google Scholar
Depret, M., 1981. Lithostratigrafie van het Kwartair en van het Tertiaire substraat te Zeebrugge. Lithologische en stratigrafische interpretatie van diepsonderingen met de konus van Begemann. Onuitgegeven doktoraats-thesis. Rijksuniversiteit Gent: 338 pp.Google Scholar
Depret, M., 1983. Studie van de lithostratigrafie van het Kwartiair en van het Tertiaire substraat te Zeebrugge onder meer met diepsonderingen, Belgische Geologische Dienst.Google Scholar
Eisma, D., Jansen, J.H.F. & Van Weering, T.C.E., 1979. Sea-floor morphology and recent sediment movement in the North Sea. In: Oele, E., Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., & Wiggers, A.J. (eds): The Quaternary history of the North Sea. Acta of Symposium Annum Quingentesimum Celebrantis (Upsala) 2: 217–232.Google Scholar
Henriet, J.P., D’Olier, b., Auffret, J.P. & Andersen, N.L., 1982. Seismic tracking of geological hazards related to clay tectonics in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Symposium Engineering in Marine Environment, К VIV (Brugge): 1.5-1.15.Google Scholar
Henriet, J.P., De Batist, M., Van Vaerenbergh, W. & Verschuren, M., 1988. Seismic facies and clay tectonics features of the Ypresian clay in the Southern North Sea. Bulletin van de Belgische Vereniging voor Geologie / Bulletin de la Société Belge de Geologie 97: 457–472.Google Scholar
Heyse, I. & De Moor, G., 1996. Sediment transport and bedform mobility in a sandy shelf environment (STARFISH). Final report, University of Ghent, Research Unit of Marine and Coastal Geomorphology.Google Scholar
Houthuys, R. & Gullentops, F., 1988. The Vlierzele Sands (Eocene, Belgium): a tidal ridge system. In: De Boer, P.L., Van Gelder, A. & Nio, S.D. (ed.): Tide-influenced sedimentary environments and facies. D. Reidel Publishing Company (Dordrecht): 139–152.Google Scholar
Hunt, R.E., 1986. Geotechnical Engineering analysis and evaluation. McGraw-Hill Book Company (New York): 729 pp.Google Scholar
Jacobs, P., 1995. Eocene to early Oligocene deltas in the Southern North Sea Bight, Belgium. In: Oti, M. & Postma, G. (ed.): Geology of deltas. Balkema (Rotterdam): 139–152.Google Scholar
Jacobs, P. & Sevens, E., 1993. Eocene siliciclastic continental shelf sedimentation in the Southern Bight North Sea, Belgium. Progress in Belgian Oceanographie Research, Royal Academy of Belgium (Brussels): 95–118.Google Scholar
Jacobs, P. & De Batist, M., 1996. Sequence stratigraphy and architecture on a ramp-type continental shelf: the Belgian Palaeogene. In: De Batist, M. & Jacobs, P. (ed.): Geology of the Siliciclastic Shelf Seas. Geological Society, Special Publication 117: 23–48.Google Scholar
Jacobs, P., Sevens, E., De Batist, M. & Henriet, J.P., 1990. Grain-size, facies and sequence analysis of West Belgian Eocene continental shelf deposits. Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie, Teil 1 8: 931–955.Google Scholar
Jacobs, P., De Ceukelaire, M., Moerkerke, G. & Polfliet, T., 2002. Toelichtingen bij de geologische kaart. 1:50.000. Kaartblad Blankenberge - Westkapelle -Oostduinkerke - Oostende (4-5-11-12). Ministerie van Economische Zaken -Belgische Geologische Dienst, Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap -Afdeling Natuurlijke Rijkdommen en Energie (Brussel).Google Scholar
Jansen, J.H.F., Van Weering, T.C.E. & Eisma, D., 1979. Late Quaternary sedimentation in the North Sea. In: Oele, E., Schiittenhelm, R.T.E. & Wiggers, A.J. (ed.): The Quaternary history of the North Sea. Acta University of Upsala Symposium Annum Quingentesimum Celebrantis (Upsala): 175–188.Google Scholar
Jelgersma, S., Oele, E. & Wiggers, A.J., 1979. Depositional history and coastal development in the Netherlands and the adjacent North Sea since the Eemian. In: Oele, E., Schüttenhelm, R.T.E. & Wiggers, A.J. (eds): The Quaternary history of the North Sea, Acta University of Upsala Symposium Annum Quingentesimum Celebrantis (Upsala): 115–142.Google Scholar
Kirby, R. & Oele, E., 1975. The geological history of the Sandettié-Fairy Bank area, southern North Sea. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A279: 257–267.Google Scholar
Laga, P., Louwye, S. & Geets, S., 2001. Palaeogene and Neogene lithostrati-graphic units (Belgium). In: Bultynck, P. & Dejonghe, L. (ed.): Lithostrati-graphic scale of Belgium. Geologica Belgica 4 (1-2): 135–152.Google Scholar
Lanckneus, J., Van Lancker, V., Moerkerke, G., Van den Eynde, D., Fettweis, M., De Batist, M. & Jacobs, P., 2001. Investigation of the natural sand transport on the Belgian continental shelf (BUDGET). Final report. Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (0STC): 104 pp. + Annex 87 pp.Google Scholar
Liu, A.C., 1990. A seismic and geomorphological study of the erosion surface at the top of the Tertiary in the Southern North Sea (Belgian and Northern French sectors). Unpublished doctoral thesis, Gent University, vol. 1: 119 pp. + vol. 2: 97 fig.Google Scholar
Liu, A.C., Missiaen, T. & Henriet, J.P., 1992. The morphology of the Top-Tertiary erosion surface in the Belgian sector of the North Sea. Marine Geology 105: 275–284.Google Scholar
Liu, A.C., De Batist, M., Henriet, J.P. & Missiaen, T., 1993. Plio-Pleistocene scour hollows in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Geologie en Mijnbouw 71: 195–204.Google Scholar
Lunne, T., Robertson, P.K. & Powell, J.J.M., 1997. Cone penetration testing in geotechnical practice. Taylor & Francis Group (London): 312 pp.Google Scholar
Maréchal, R. & Henriet, J.P., 1983. Seismisch onderzoek op het Belgisch Continentaal Plat. Eerste fase. Ontginningszone 2. Onuitgegeven Rapport, Ministerie voor Economische Zaken: 32 pp.Google Scholar
Maréchal, R., Henriet, J.P., Mostaert, F., De Batist, M., Moons, A. & Verschuren, M., 1986. Studie oppervlaktelaag van het Belgisch Continentaal Plat. Seismisch prospectie sector B. Onuitgegeven Rapport, Ministerie voor Economische Zaken: 52 pp.Google Scholar
Maréchal, R. & Laga, P., 1988. Voorstel lithostratigrafische indeling van het Paleogeen. Nationale Commissies voor Stratigrafie - Commissie Tertiair, Unpublished Report.Google Scholar
Mostaert, F., Auffret, J.P., De Batist, M., Henriet, J.P., Moons, A., Sevens, E., Van Den Broeke, I. & Verschuren, M., 1989. Quaternary shelf deposits and drainage patterns off the French and Belgian coasts. In: Henriet, J.P. & De Moor, G. (ed.): The Quaternary and Tertiary Geology of the Southern Bight, North Sea. Belgian Geological Survey: 111–118.Google Scholar
Oele, E. & Schiittenhelm, R.T.E., 1979. Development of the North Sea after the Saalian glaciation. In: Oele, E., Schüttenhelm, R.T.E. & Wiggers, A.J. (eds): The Quaternary history of the North Sea. Acta University of Upsala Symposium Annum Quingentesimum Celebrantis (Upsala): 191–216.Google Scholar
Paepe, R.C., Baeteman, C., Mortier, R. & Vanhoorne, R., 1981. The marine Pleistocene sediments in Flanders area. Geologie en Mijnbouw 60: 321–330.Google Scholar
Shaw, , 2001. Cable protection: a rationale. Poster presentation. Offshore Wind Energy, Special Topic Conference, EWEA (Brussels), 10 – 12 December 2001.Google Scholar
Steurbaut, E., 1986. Late Middle Eocene to Middle Oligocene calcareous nanno- plankton from the Kallo well, some boreholes and exposures in Belgium and a description of the Ruisbroek Sand Member. Mededelingen van de Werkgroep Tertiaire en Kwartaire Geologie 23: 49–83.Google Scholar
Trentesaux, A., 1993. Structure et dynamique sedimentaire du Middelkerke Bank, Mer du Nord méridionale. PhD Thesis, University of Lille 1: 229 pp.Google Scholar
Trentesaux, A., Stolk, A., Tessier, B. & Chamley, H., 1994. Surficial sedimentol- ogy of the Middlekerke Bank (southern North Sea). Marine Geology 121: 43–55.Google Scholar
Trentesaux, A., Stolk, A. & Berné, S., 1999. Sedimentology and stratigraphy of a tidal sand bank in the southern North Sea. Marine Geology 159: 253–272.Google Scholar
Van Cauwenberghe, C., 1966. Hydrografische analyse van de Scheldemonding ten oosten van de Meridiaan 3°05’ tot Vlissingen. Het Ingenieursblad 40 (19): 563–571.Google Scholar
Van Cauwenberghe, C., 1971. Hydrografische analyse van de Vlaamse banken langs de Belgische-Franse kust. Ingenieurstijdingen Blatt 20: 141–149.Google Scholar
Van Alphen, J.S.L.J. & Damoiseaux, M.A., 1989. A geomorphological map of the Dutch shoreface and adjacent part of the continental shelf. Geologie en Mijnbouw 68: 433–443.Google Scholar
Van Huile, F., Le Bot, S., Cabooter, Y., Soens, J., Van Lancker, V., Deleu, S., Henriet, J.P., Palmers, G., Dewilde, L., Driesen, J., Van Roy, P. & Belmans, R. 2004. Optimal offshore wind energy developments in Belgium, Federal Science Policy Office, SPSDII. Scientific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy, Part I. Sustainable Production and Consumption Patterns. Energy (D/2004/1191/17) (Brussels): 153 pp.Google Scholar
Wartel, S., 1989. Palaeogeographical reconstruction of the offshore area off the Belgian coast - Acoustic investigations. In: Baeteman, C., (ed.): Quaternary sea-level investigations from Belgium, Ministerie van Economische Zaken. Geologische Dienst van België (Brussel): 92–104.Google Scholar
Whitehouse, R.J.S., Damgaard, J.S. & Langhorne, D.N., 2000. Sandwaves and seabed engineering: the application to submarine cables. In: Trentesaux, A. & Garlan, T. (eds): Marine Sandwave Dynamics, International Workshop (Lille): 227–234.Google Scholar