Recent shoreline evolution and beach erosion along the central Adriatic coast of Italy: the case of Molise region

A study on the modern dynamics and shoreline changes from 1954 to 2014 of the Molise coast (central Adriatic Sea) has been carried out. Short to long-term shoreline changes and associated surface area variations have been assessed in GIS environment for the study coast, subdivided in nine coastal segments (S1-S9), by using 100-m regularly spaced transects. In addition, the possible influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, especially of climatic variability and engineered shoreline defense structures, has been investigated. The Molise coast has experienced notable long-term erosion (period 1054-2014) that caused an overall coastal land loss of approximately 940,000 m². Erosion was, yet, limited to coastal segments S1 and S7, nearest to the mouths of major rivers, namely Trigno and Biferno, while the major part of the study coast has remained essentially stable or even advanced. Increased shoreline protection by defense structures has generally favoured shoreline stability and frequently generated shoreline advance, except for segments S1 and S7. Observed differences in shoreline change rates over time at the decadal to interannual scale, have not find a response in the analysis of available data on meteo-marine conditions of the Molise coast and climate variability indices, pointing out the need to improve knowledge on meteomarine conditions and on climatic variability forcing of the study area. From 2004 to 2014, the Molise shoreline remained essentially stable. Nonetheless, most recent shoreline changes (period 2011-2014) and modern shoreline dynamics indicate that erosion has become more widespread, involving at least part of segments S2-S3 and S8-S9, located south of the river mouth segments. The localized long-term shoreline retreat and most recent shoreline erosion appear to be primarily related to channel adjustments of the Biferno and Trigno rivers that occurred since the 1950s under the control of human interventions on the rivers, especially the construction respectively of a dam and a check dam along their lower courses, that trap of most of their solid load, affecting so adversely the sediment budget of the river mouths areas and adjacent beaches. Overall data acquired on the recent shoreline evolution and modern shoreline dynamics of the Molise coast and on related causal factors provide a good basic knowledge for regional coastal management purposes, and for further scientific purposes. Particularly, they suggest the opportunity to deepen a number of aspects such as the relationship between the coast and river catchments feeding it, the possible influences on the Molise shoreline dynamics of the neighbouring coasts, the efficiency/obsolescence of defense structures and the present-day vulnerability to coastal erosion of the Molise coast.     

Coastal zone management challenges in Ghana: issues associated with coastal sediment mining

Coastal erosion is a serious environmental problem that has caused the loss of private infrastructure and national assets along Ghana’s coast. Several hard engineering measures have thus been used to protect some communities and vital state assets when they became threatened. Regardless of this problem, sediment mining activities are increasingly practiced along most of Ghana’s coast, further exacerbating coastal erosion intensity and degrading coastal ecosystems. This paper provides an overview of the activities of coastal sediment miners along four administrative Districts in the Central Region of Ghana and identifies how issues arising from the practice are managed at the local community level as well as by state environmental regulators. The study uses a mixed-method approach, involving individual and group interviews, administration of a set of structured questionnaire and field observations, to identify coastal sediment mining and emerging management issues. Overall, three main categories of coastal sediment mining activities were identified in the area. Results indicate that coastal sediment mining is widely practiced by both commercial contractors and community members, giving rise to the high perception among residents that it is the reason for the degradation of the coastline in the studied areas. The study also established that state environmental regulators have weak inter-agency cooperation leading to poor enforcement of environmental laws and non-prosecution of offending individuals. The paper suggests that since each identified sediment mining activity has its own peculiar issues and mode of operation, coastal managers should address each category independently in order to derive lasting impacts in curtailing the practice.     

Sabaki River sediment load and coral stress: correlation between sediments and condition of the Malindi-Watamu reefs in Kenya (Indian Ocean)

Sediment discharges from rivers have a negative impact on coral reef ecosystems. Indicators of coral decline measured in the present study were: (1) injury to living stony corals; (2) soft coral cover; and (3) bare rocky substrate suitable for colonization by corals. The relationship between these indicators and the distribution of terrigenous sediment was studied for the Malindi-Watamu fringing reef complex along the Kenyan coast off East Africa during 1982 and 1983. Decline of this reef had been repeatedly noted during the preceding decade. The influence of terrigenous sediment from the Sabaki River appears to be strongest in the Watamu area in the south and in the northern-most part of the Malindi reef area. Correlations, between each of the above three coral stress response indicators, on the one hand, and quantitative indicators of sediment loading, on the other hand, were not clear. However, a combined coral stress indicator involving all three factors was shown to have a clear relationship with terrigenous sediment loading and provided a rapid means of field evaluation of the effects of sediment stress on stony corals. Values for the combined coral stress indicator were found to increase in proportion to increasing values of terrigenous sediment loads in both study areas. A higher coral stress indicator value means a high proportion of injured or algae infested corals, and/or a high soft coral cover, and/or a high proportion of rocky substrate suitable for, but unoccupied by, living corals.     

Coastal changes in the Ebro delta: Natural and human factors

The development of the delta of the River Ebro (Ebre) has, during recent centuries, been controlled by both natural and man-induced factors. Deforestation by man of the Ebro drainage basin favoured a fast progradation of the deltaic system until this century, when many dams were constructed along the river Ebro and its tributaries. As the sediment load of the river has been retained behind the dams, the river sediment discharge has been drastically reduced and erosive processes have become dominant in the Ebro delta coastal area, changing it from a river-wave to a sea-wave-dominated coast. This situation leads to a reshaping of the nearshore delta area and a redistribution of the pre-existing beach sediment, and significant erosion has already occurred in some zones. If these conditions continue in the future, severe changes will take place in the Ebro delta, in addition to the effects of a relative sea level rise. The future development of this delta may be similar to that of abandoned deltaic lobes, but faster. The present study shows, how coastal changes generated by anthropogenic factors can be faster and more drastic than those induced only by natural factors.     

Long term and short term coastal line changes of the Eastern Gulf of Finland. Problems of coastal erosion

Traditionally the coastal zone of the easternmost (Russian) part of the Gulf of Finland has not been considered as an area of active litho- and morphodynamics, but a recent study has shown that the easternmost part of the coastal zone suffers from erosion. Within some coastal segments the shoreline recession rate reaches 2 ?C 2.5?m/year. As well as determining the hydrodynamic reasons for recent erosion acceleration, important geological and geomorphic features of coastal zone which influenced the lithodynamics were established. The Kurortny District of St.Petersburg is located along the northern coast of the Gulf of Finland to the west of the St. Petersburg Flood Protection Facility. It has special importance as a unique recreation zone of the North-West of Russia. Coastal erosion is one of the most serious problems of the area. The analysis of historical materials, archive aerial photographs and modern high-resolution satellite images have shown that advancing parts of coast are almost non-existant with most sections of the coast being eroded and further retreating. Field monitoring between 2004 and 2007 showed intense damage to sandy beaches during autumn and winter storms and progressive erosion of the dunes system. Among the most important natural reasons for the erosion processes are that the coastline is open to storm waves induced by westerly and south-westerly winds, the geological structure of coastal area (easily eroded Quaternary deposits) and a sediment deficit. In some areas sediment loss was the result of the submarine coastal slope morphology (a steep slope of a narrow submarine terrace within the area of sediment drift discharge), with erosion of an alongshore submarine sandy terrace and erosion runnels at the depth 8?C12?m. The situation becomes worse due to anthropogenic impact. The southern coastal zone dynamics are also very active. According to an aerial and satellite photos analysis from 1975?C1976 to 1989?C1990, sandy beaches to the west of Lebyazhye village were eroded up to 30?m, and near Bolshaya Izora village up to 70?m. The comparison of coastine GPSsurvey with old nautical and topographic charts published in the 1980s shows the considerable change.     

Distribution and bioaccumulation of organochlorine pesticides along the Black Sea coast

Sediment, mussel, and seawater samples were collected three times during 2001–2003 at nine sampling stations along the mid-Black Sea coast of Turkey. The samples were analyzed with GC-ECD for contents of various organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the environment. DDT and its metabolites were detected at concentrations significantly above the detection limits. The highest concentrations of DDT metabolites measured in the sediment and mussel samples were 35.9 and 14.0 ng/g wet weight respectively. Considerable levels of aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, endosulfan sulphate, and HCB were also detected in the sediment, mussel, or seawater samples. Although these persistent toxic compounds have been banned for some years in Turkey, they may still be used illegally in some regions, contributing to their significant levels in the environment. The biota–sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) estimated for DDT and its metabolites in mussels was 2.9, which is nearly two times higher than the benchmark of 1.7. In spite of such high BSAF values observed for these toxic compounds, their levels in mussels were significantly below the international legal limits recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Edible biota from the waterbodies examined may thus still be considered safe for human consumption at this time. However, as pollutants can biomagnify through the food chain over time, further routine sampling and analysis of biota along the Black Sea coast are warranted in order to better assess the threat of OCPs to public health in the region.     

Evaluation of linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) biodegradability in sediment by solid‐phase extraction and HPLC analysis

The linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) sorption on environmental sediments has been known long ago. Their high concentrations reflect the massive input of these chemicals from household and industrial uses. However few attempts were made to identify biodegradation metabolites of LAS in sediment. In this report, a method for the determination of these compounds in sediment samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. The first step of our work was performed by solid‐phase extraction with octadecyl‐bonded silica (C18) mini‐columns and provided a suitable recovery of LAS (90 ± 5%) and most metabolites. Furthermore, laboratory investigations led to study the behaviour of LAS in sediment. The environmental samples used for this purpose were collected from a pond (named étang de Bolmon) located in the French Mediterranean coast. Our results were in agreement with an aerobic biodegradation process of LAS that occurred only with high values of sediment redox potential and needed the samples to be vigorously shaken to ensure adequate mixing and suspension of particulate material. In a stagnant sediment or under anaerobic conditions, LAS is not degraded. p‐Sulfophenylacetic acid and p‐sulfocinnamic acid were evidenced as predominant metabolites and were found not to be persistent.     

胶州湾多毛类环节动物数量分布与环境因子的关系

根据1998~2002年胶州湾10个站各季度大型底栖动物调查结果,讨论了多毛类环节动物在各站出现种数、生物量、栖息密度与环境因子的关系.结果表明,海底底质是影响多毛类数量分布与变化的重要因子,沙质软泥有利于多毛类生长,而粗沙砾石底质多毛类分布较少;春季多毛类种数、生物量和栖息密度均较高;在一定条件下,盐度是多毛类的限制因子,当盐度升高时,其生物量和栖息密度呈增加趋势.图2表6参14     

Determination and prediction of sediment yields from recession of the Holderness Coast, NE England

The rapidly eroding cliffs and foreshore of the Holderness Coast represent one of the largest sources of sediment discharging in the southern North Sea. For effective coastal management it is important to understand the sediment sources, transport pathways and depositional sinks. The sediment budget is regarded as one of the key information needs for sustainable planning and management. In order to quantify the sediment yield from recession of the Holderness Coast, digital photogrammetry has been used, together with nearshore bathymetric survey data, to produce a single DTM for a length of over 52 km of coastline. Other data including geological sections, sediment lithology, recession rates and the location of coastal defences have been added to the DTM to create a GIS for the Holderness Coast. The GIS has been used to predict the volume and nature of the sediment yield assuming that historical recession rates continue. The GIS can also be used to predict future yields using assumptions of accelerated recession or the implications of arrested retreat due to construction of defences.     

The Occurrence of Litter of Natural and Anthropogenic Origin in Solway Firth and Other Coastal Sediments

The litter content of littoral and sublittoral sediments from the Solway Firth, Firth of Clyde and the coast of Devon was measured by passing samples of sediment through 500 and 1000 μm sieves and hand picking of the residues. The litter present in samples from each station was shown to be very variable both in amount and in the quality of the component fractions. No clear relationship with silt content and type of shore emerged.     

The “piece-by-piece predation” of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Eteone longa</Emphasis> on<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Scolelepis squamata</Emphasis> (Polychaetes )—traces on the sediment documenting chase,defence and mutilation

On many sea shores of the Niedersachsen coast, the polychaete Scolelepis squamata is the dominant animal species living in the sediment of exposed beaches.The population of the predatory species Eteone longa, with a main distribution in more sheltered intertidal and subtidal habitats, has a certain overlap with S. squamata. In these restricted areas, S. squamata suffers from a permanent pursuit by E. longa during low tide. Field and laboratory studies have revealed that this predator-prey relationship follows a distinct behavioural pattern and is an exploitation of surviving animals: the predator does not ingest the whole prey individual but only feeds on regenerable parts of the body. Both species draw characteristic tracks on the sediment surface that illustrate the phases of the chase, the attempts at defence and the mutilation of the prey species.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Application of Synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Characterization of the Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments of the Middle Adriatic

UV-fluorescence spectroscopy method with synchronous mode of scanning was used to characterize the types of aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments. the sampling stations were located on two transverses between Yugoslavian and the Italian coasts in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. the preparation of sediment samples was made according to IOC/UNESCO (1982). Synchronous excitation/emission scanning were done at wavelengths from 236/260 to 516/540 nm. Since the wavelength of maximum emission is a function of fused aromatic rings in a molecule, the fluorescence spectra of each sample were divided into three intervals: 300-340, 340-400, over 400 nm, corresponding to compounds with 2, 3 and 4,5 and more rings respectively.

Large qualitative differences were established between sediment samples. PAH with 5 and more rings are more prevalent near the Italian coast.     

Application of Synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Characterization of the Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments of the Middle Adriatic

UV-fluorescence spectroscopy method with synchronous mode of scanning was used to characterize the types of aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments. the sampling stations were located on two transverses between Yugoslavian and the Italian coasts in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. the preparation of sediment samples was made according to IOC/UNESCO (1982). Synchronous excitation/emission scanning were done at wavelengths from 236/260 to 516/540 nm. Since the wavelength of maximum emission is a function of fused aromatic rings in a molecule, the fluorescence spectra of each sample were divided into three intervals: 300–340, 340–400, over 400 nm, corresponding to compounds with 2, 3 and 4,5 and more rings respectively.

Large qualitative differences were established between sediment samples. PAH with 5 and more rings are more prevalent near the Italian coast.     

沉积物的逐级分离与硝基苯的吸附

采用逐级分离法将大连近海海底沉积物进行分级处理，每级相继去除碳酸盐、有机质和金属水合氧化物，最后一级为粘土矿物。每级沉积物的电子显微镜形态观察结果与逐级分离的预期结果基本吻合。硝基苯在各级沉积物上的吸附行为符合Ｆｒｅｕｎｄｌｉｃｈ等温式，同时证明本文所用的逐级分离法对大连近海海底沉积物的分离有较好的适用性。     

Temporal analysis of coastal erosion in Turkey: a case study Karasu coastal region

Coastal erosion may be caused by natural causes as well as human factors. Karasu town of the city of Sakarya in Turkey which is a touristic region on the Black Sea coast has been experienced a drastic coastal erosion. In recent years, this erosion reached the threatening dimensions for the structures in the settlement. According to the temporal analyses of Landsat satellite images, the maximum erosion on the coastline was detected 100 m between 1987–2013. The results of the study show that the harbour construct on the Karasu coast has the major impact on this event. The secondary factor is that the amount of the sediment carried by the Sakarya River was decreased in time due to different reasons. To prevent the coastal erosion, a series of offshore breakwaters were planned after the failed application of groins on the coastline. In this study, temporal changes of the coastline are investigated by the Landsat satellite data and land surveys, possible reasons of the erosion are discussed and the solutions are proposed regarding the coastal structures.     

Environmental indicators GIS of the Catalan coast

This paper describes the environmental indicators GIS of the Catalan coast, Spain. The spatial data model is based on vector and raster layers with three main modules: the biodiversity, the general biophysical and the socioeconomic. Presently, the database has a number of pressure and impact indicators that have been used to model the components and structure of the system and are suggested to build ecological resilience. Special interest has been given to the analysis of functional groups of species that are relevant to the dynamics of the coastal system, and preliminary results are presented. This system constitutes a user-oriented analytical and monitoring tool for coastal zone managers and researchers. Although, the system is under development it is expected that resulting spatial indicators of environmental condition can be used to promote more sustainable coastal strategies and actions in the Catalan coast.     

Modelling of the coastal defence scheme of Espinho, Portugal

The most recent intervention on the coastline of Espinho, located on the Portuguese West Atlantic coast, was part of the General Plan for Coastal Protection in 1980/81. As a result, two unusually large groins/headlands were built which were reinforced and enlarged in 1997, slightly changing their geometry and orientation. However, due to the decreased sediment supply from the north and the impact of energetic sea conditions common to the northwest coast of Portugal the coastal evolution has not developed as desired, although in general terms the initial expectations were fulfilled. The numerical modelling of the Espinho coastline using SMC software focused on both hydrodynamic and hydromorphological aspects. The purpose of this study is to analyse the most vulnerable areas of the Espinho seafront for current velocities and littoral drift, as well as to confirm the effectiveness of the two groins in terms of coastal protection. To achieve this, various simulations were performed, taking into account diverse sea conditions.     

Adoption of recent formulae for sediment transport calculations applied on the Egyptian Nile delta coastal area

This study is considered as a completion for the carried out previous research on the Egyptian northern coast near Port Said. An evaluation was carried out for the purpose of analyzing satellite measured wave data, or carrying out preliminary evaluations for the study area, in the Nile delta coast near Damitta. The available offshore historical significant wave heights from altimeter measurements are used in this research for the period from 2005 to 2008. In this study waves were transformed from the offshore area to nearshore, sediment transport volumes were evaluated by applying and adjusting some of the practical formulae, which are considered reasonable for this area. The study domain dimensions are 50 km long offshore and 15 km wide alongshore. Wave nearshore transformation is carried out by using the mathematical Simulating WAves Nearshore model (SWAN) based on seasonal/directional bases. Two seasons are considered in the analysis, which are both winter and summer, to represent the mean seasons of the year. The three formulae, which are CERC, van Rijn and Boer and Galvin for sediment transport evaluation are applied in the study area. The reference values were applied for comparison were checked. The obtained rough evaluations were considered acceptable and can be roughly applied for both research and engineering purposes.     

A meiofaunal “thiobios” limited to the anaerobic sulfide system of marine sand does not exist

The spatial relationship of interstitial metazoans to sources of oxygen has been studied on a tidal flat in the Wadden Sea near Sylt (eastern part of the North Sea). Consistently, meiofauna remains in close proximity to oxygenated layers or pocket areas within the sediment. This is exemplified by the pattern of meiofaunal abundance and species composition alongside oxic burrows of the lugworm Arenicola marina L. A specific meiofauna confined to oxygen-deficient horizons of the sediment does not exist.     

Mercury concentrations in the surface sediments of the intertidal area along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Total mercury (Hg) levels in the intertidal surface sediments along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analysed by using heat vaporization method. Total Hg levels in these sediments ranged from 3.00 to 201?µg?kg^?1 dry weight with a mean concentration of 60.0?µg?kg^?1 dry weight. More than 90% of the samples studied have the total Hg concentrations less than 150?µg?kg^?1 dry weight. Compare with the regional data and sediment quality guidelines, the Hg contamination in the intertidal area along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia was not serious, except for a few sites that might have received anthropogenic Hg in the samples collected between 1999 and 2000. It is suggested that a similar study of heavy metals in the sediments of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia be conducted regularly.