A mud budget of the Wadden Sea and its implications for sediment management

The Wadden Sea, the world’s largest uninterrupted tidal flat system, faces a critical mud deficit that will worsen with rising sea levels. A nearly closed mud budget reveals that approximately 12 million tons of mud enter the system annually from its western end, while around 1.5 million tons are added by local rivers. However, about 12 million tons are deposited or removed through natural processes and human activities. This imbalance indicates that mud is a finite resource, akin to sand, necessitating proactive sediment management strategies. The study underscores the need for cross-border collaboration to address future challenges posed by climate change and anthropogenic pressures on this vital ecosystem.

Colina Alonso, A., van Maren, D. S., Oost, A. P., Esselink, P., Lepper, R., Kösters, F., Bartholdy, J., Bijleveld, A. I., & Wang, Z. B. (2024). A mud budget of the Wadden Sea and its implications for sediment management. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01315-9