Are artificial reefs an appropriate solution to protect the Danube Delta coast?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Dinu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Climate ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Danube River ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Danube Delta ◽  
Marine Geology ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Wave Heights ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>Are artificial reefs an appropriate solution to protect the Danube Delta coast?</strong></p><p>Irina Dinu<sup>1</sup>, Vicente Gràcia<sup>2</sup>, Manuel García-León<sup>3</sup>, Adrian Stănică<sup>1</sup></p><p> </p><p><sup>1</sup> – National Institute for Marine Geology and Geoecology (GeoEcoMar), 23-25 Dimitrie Onciul St., 024053, Bucharest, Romania</p><p><sup>2</sup> - Laboratory of Maritime Engineering, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (LIM-UPC), Campus Diagonal Nord, Building D1, 1-3 Jordi Girona St., 08034 Barcelona</p><p><sup>3</sup> - International Centre for Research of Coastal Resources (CIIRC), 1-3 Jordi Girona St., Mòdul D1, Campus Nord, 08003 Barcelona, Spain</p><p> </p><p>The Danube Delta coast is part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, thus being aimed to preserve its typical natural habitats. Over the last decades, human interventions along the Danube River, as well as coastal navigation and harbour protection works on the Romanian coast have determined the reduction of sediment supply along the Danube Delta coast, which is nowadays affected by erosion on its widest part.</p><p>Sustainable management plans for the Danube Delta coast include the use of working-with-nature solutions.</p><p>In this work, the effect of artificial reefs on the wave heights along the Danube Delta coast is studied. The results of a previous wave climate study and a wave model have been used for this purpose. Simulations have been performed for different setup of artificial reefs and for extreme storms with various return periods. The effect of sea level rise has also been taken into account.</p><p>Our results show that artificial reefs are significantly effective in reducing the wave heights along the Danube Delta coast. However, further detailed analysis concerning the impact of such a coastal protection solution is still needed.  </p>

scholarly journals Spatial Variation in Coastal Dune Evolution in a High Tidal Range Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 3689
Author(s):  
Iain Fairley ◽  
Jose Horrillo-Caraballo ◽  
Ian Masters ◽  
Harshinie Karunarathna ◽  
Dominic E. Reeve
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Tidal Range ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Dune System ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Significant Wave ◽  
Wave Heights ◽  
Significant Wave Heights

Coastal dunes have global importance as ecological habitats, recreational areas, and vital natural coastal protection. Dunes evolve due to variations in the supply and removal of sediment via both wind and waves, and on stabilization through vegetation colonization and growth. One aspect of dune evolution that is poorly understood is the longshore variation in dune response to morphodynamic forcing, which can occur over small spatial scales. In this paper, a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is used to measure the longshore variation in evolution of a dune system in a megatidal environment. Dune sections to the east and west of the study site are prograding whereas the central portion is static or eroding. The measured variation in dune response is compared to mesoscale intertidal bar migration and short-term measurements of longshore variation in wave characteristics during two storms. Intertidal sand bar migration is measured using satellite imagery: crescentic intertidal bars are present in front of the accreting portion of the beach to the west and migrate onshore at a rate of 0.1–0.2 m/day; episodically the eastern end of the bar detaches from the main bar and migrates eastward to attach near the eastern end of the study area; bypassing the central eroding section. Statistically significant longshore variation in intertidal wave heights were measured using beachface mounted pressure transducers: the largest significant wave heights are found in front of the dune section suffering erosion. Spectral differences were noted with more narrow-banded spectra in this area but differences are not statistically significant. These observations demonstrate the importance of three-dimensionality in intertidal beach morphology on longshore variation in dune evolution; both through longshore variation in onshore sediment supply and through causing longshore variation in near-dune significant wave heights.

scholarly journals AN EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL IMPACT AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF A GEOTEXTILE SURF REEF

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (33) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Jane Rendle ◽  
Mark Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Wave Field ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Physical Impact ◽  
The Impact

Geotextile artificial surfing reefs (ASR) are being considered by coastal planners due to their multifunctional potential for coastal protection and habitat provision, as well as additional recreational amenity. However, little research exists on the impact of submerged geotextile structures on the physical marine environment. Europe’s first ASR was constructed in 2009 on the south coast of England in Boscombe and is the case study for this paper. This research investigates the claims regarding the structural resilience of an ASR, the modifications to the inshore wave climate and the shoreline response induced by the introduction of an ASR to a system. The Boscombe ASR has suffered from damage, two major geotextile sand filled containers have degraded in this shallow marine environment in two years post-construction. Observations and simulations presented indicate ameliorated wave field leeward of the ASR. There is little shoreline response, given the structures distance offshore, and no salient or widening of the beach has occurred.

scholarly journals Wave directional measurement in Patos Lagoon, RS, Brazil

RBRH ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natália Lemke ◽  
◽  
Lauro Julio Calliari ◽  
José Antônio Scotti Fontoura ◽  
Déborah Fonseca Aguiar
Keyword(s):  
Wave Height ◽  
Significant Wave Height ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Patos Lagoon ◽  
Significant Wave ◽  
Wave Parameters ◽  
Wave Heights ◽  
Significant Wave Heights

ABSTRACT The wave climate characterization in coastal environments is essentially important to oceanography and coastal engineering professionals regarding coastal protection works. Thus, this study aims to determine the most frequent wave parameters (significant wave height, peak period and peak direction) in Patos Lagoon during the period of operation of a directional waverider buoy (from 01/27/2015 to 06/30/2015). The equipment was moored at approximately 14 km from the São Lourenço do Sul coast at the geographic coordinates of 31º29’06” S and 51º55’07” W, with local depth of six meters, registering significant wave height, peak period and peak direction time series. During the analyzed period, the greatest wave frequencies corresponded to short periods (between 2 and 3.5 seconds) and small values of significant wave heights (up to 0.6 meters), with east peak wave directions. The largest wave occurrences corresponded to east peak wave directions (33.3%); peak wave periods between 2.5 and 3 seconds (25.6%) and between 3 and 3.5 seconds (22.1%); and to significant wave heights of up to 0.3 meters (41.2%) and from 0.3 to 0.6 meters (38%). This research yielded unprecedented findings to Patos Lagoon by describing in detail the most occurring wave parameters during the analyzed period, establishing a consistent basis for several other studies that might still be conducted by the scientific community.

scholarly journals The Impact of Reclamation on Tidal Flat Morphological Equilibrium

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehua Zhong ◽  
Zhan Hu
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Flat ◽  
Dynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Tidal Flats ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Tidal Range ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Comprehensive Framework ◽  
The Impact

Reclamation is one of the most prominent anthropogenic activities affecting tidal flat morphology and the related ecosystem service. Two representative types of reclamation are upper-flat enclosure and lower-flat enrockment. From a historical perspective, different type of reclamation was adapted in different areas in ancient China. As previous studies on reclamation are often site-specific, the reason that leads to such a difference is unclear. The intertidal dynamic equilibrium theory (DET) provides a comprehensive framework for this quest. Here, we extend the DET with additional effects of reclamation. A model based on DET (DET-ESTMORF) was applied to investigate the impact of reclamation on tidal flats. The model was validated by comparing our results against previous records and observations. Results show that both types of reclamation induce morphological adjustment by enhancing local accretion, which upset the previous equilibrium. Specifically, upper-flat enclosure drives tidal flats into evolution toward wave dominance, whereas lower-flat enrockment causes adjustment toward tidal dominance. Next, the impact of reclamation on tidal flats in different states (prograding or retreating) was investigated. We show that both enclosure and enrockment can induce accretion despite the varying wave climate and sediment supply, with the mean accretion rate raised by 1.8 cm/year and 1.2 cm/year, respectively. However, the resulting profiles are different in shape, especially on retreating flats. Finally, we point out that tidal range and sediment supply are the potential reasons affecting the choice of reclamation types in practices.

scholarly journals The Effect of a Wave Energy Farm Protecting an Aquaculture Installation

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Silva ◽  
Eugen Rusu ◽  
C. Guedes Soares
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
The North ◽  
Wave Conditions ◽  
Offshore Aquaculture ◽  
Wave Farm ◽  
The Impact

This paper assesses the impact of a farm of wave energy converters on a nearby offshore aquaculture installation and on the nearshore dynamics. The coastal area targeted is Aguçadoura, located in the north of Portugal, where the world’s first wave farm operated in 2008. The study is focused mainly on the evaluation of the sheltering effect provided by the wave farm to the aquaculture cages. Furthermore, the possible impact on the coastal wave climate of such an energy park is also evaluated. These objectives are accomplished by performing simulations, corresponding to the wave conditions, which are more often encountered in that coastal environment. The SWAN model (Simulating WAves Nearshore) was adopted for this. Various transmission scenarios are considered to account for the impact of different types of wave converter farms on the downwave conditions. The results show that such a wave energy park might have a clear positive impact on the wave conditions fish farm installed downwave and it might also have a beneficial influence on shoreline dynamics from the perspective of coastal protection.

scholarly journals Anthropogenic impact on the shores and the bottom of the Jebriyan bay in the Northwestern part of the Black Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 729-740
Author(s):  
Yuriy D. Shuisky ◽  
Galina V. Vykhovanetz ◽  
Ludmila V. Organ ◽  
Mukete Theophilus N. Moto
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Danube River ◽  
Nature Management ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Northwestern Part ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Danube Delta ◽  
Average Depth ◽  
The Impact

The Jebriyan Bay is located in the northern part of the Kiliya Danube Delta, at a junction of the delta cone and the indigenous coast. This is a zone of very high anthropogenic impact on the Danube Biosphere Reserve. The two opposite shores of this bay are fundamentally different. Along the northern shore, the Northwest coastal sand sediment flows discharge from the Cape of the Great Fontanne to the Jebriyan Bay. That is why the northern coast of the bay is made up of sandy forms of coastal topography (marine accumulative terrace and spit). The southern coast is deltaic; composed of a mixture of muddy, siltstone and sandy sediments. The area of the bay is limited to isobaths –11 m and is about 80 km2. The bottom of the bay has a gentle relief, made up of smooth outlines, with an average depth of 6.2 m. The shape of the transverse profile of the underwater slope is mostly convex. The natural system of the bay was affected by fishing, recreation, shipping and industrial sand production on coastal accumulative landforms. Coastal fishing uses a system of fixed bottom seines and small motorized floating equipment. Recreational facilities are designed to serve about 350 thousand people during the warm period each year. The impact of shipping was expressed in the construction and operation of the seaport of Ust-Dunaysk, together with suitable canal and the technical canal between the sea and the branch of the delta breakthrough the system of the large Ochakov branch. The ladle port had an area of about 1.5 km2, a maximal depth of 16 m, and an average depth of 13.7 m. The trough was connected to the Ochakov branch of the Danube Delta by a technical canal with a depth of 4 m. Vessels could enter the harbor of Ust-Danube through an access navigation channel with a depth of 11–12 m and a bottom width of 125 m. The port was used for the transshipment of large containers, general forest cargo from ocean vessels (displacement of 60–100 thousand tons) on regular sea lines from the countries of Southeast Asia to the Black Sea, to the Danube and further to the countries of Central Europe and to the ports of the North and the Baltic Seas. But it was unfortunate that the port construction site did not last as expected. Between 1980–2010 the harbor and approach canal of Ust-Dunaysk were filled with Danube river sediments. The example of Jebriyan Bay has shown that when executing any type of sustainable nature management project, it is very important to take into account the natural milieu.

scholarly journals Assessing Habitat Vulnerability and Loss of Naturalness: Applying the GLOBIO3 Model in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5355
Author(s):  
Vilém Pechanec ◽  
Ondřej Cudlín ◽  
Miloš Zapletal ◽  
Jan Purkyt ◽  
Lenka Štěrbová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
New Equation ◽  
The Impact

Global and regional biodiversity loss is caused by several drivers including urban development, land use intensification, overexploitation of natural resources, environmental pollution, and climate change. The main aim of our study was to adapt the GLOBIO3 model to the conditions of the Czech Republic (CR) to assess loss of naturalness and biodiversity vulnerability at the habitat level on a detailed scale across the entire CR. An additional aim was to assess the main drivers affecting the biodiversity of habitat types. The GLOBIO3 model was adapted to CZ-GLOBIO by adapting global to local scales and using habitat quality and naturalness data instead of species occurrence data. The total mean species abundance (MSA) index of habitat quality, calculated from the spatial overlay of the four MSA indicators by our new equation, reached the value 0.62. The total value of MSA for natural and near-natural habitats was found to be affected mainly by infrastructure development and fragmentation. Simultaneously, intensity of land use change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition contributed primarily to the low total value of MSA for distant natural habitats. The CZ-GLOBIO model can be an important tool in political decision making to reduce the impact of the main drivers on habitat biodiversity in the CR.

scholarly journals Comprehensive Wind and Wave Statistics and Extreme Values for Design and Analysis of Marine Structures in the Adriatic Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 522
Author(s):  
Marko Katalinić ◽  
Joško Parunov
Keyword(s):  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Significant Wave ◽  
Wave Statistics ◽  
Wave Heights ◽  
Almost All

Wind and waves present the main causes of environmental loading on seagoing ships and offshore structures. Thus, its detailed understanding can improve the design and maintenance of these structures. Wind and wave statistical models are developed based on the WorldWaves database for the Adriatic Sea: for the entire Adriatic Sea as a whole, divided into three regions and for 39 uniformly spaced locations across the offshore Adriatic. Model parameters are fitted and presented for each case, following the conditional modelling approach, i.e., the marginal distribution of significant wave height and conditional distribution of peak period and wind speed. Extreme significant wave heights were evaluated for 20-, 50- and 100-year return periods. The presented data provide a consistent and comprehensive description of metocean (wind and wave) climate in the Adriatic Sea that can serve as input for almost all kind of analyses of ships and offshore structures.

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