The dynamic coastal evidence of Jakarta Bay during Late Pleistocene-Recent

Some significant indication identifying a coastal dynamic during Late Pleistocene to Recent is the evolution of isochrone patterns throughout glacial-interglacial stages. This study aims to identify the sediments stratification of Jakarta Bay during the Late Pleistocene – Recent in the framework of coastal dynamic triggered by the sea-level changes of last prominent climatic stages. The several high-resolution seismic records in Jakarta Bay lines were interpreted to illustrate the different sequences from the top down to the oldest by line-drawing the more robust seismic reflectors as a sequence limit surface. Furthermore, the isochrone map series of unit boundary (UB) were reconstructed to delineate isochrone contour patterns from the oldest until modern. The selected isochrones map of UB-3 and UB-5 with their unit facies are somehow favorable to be compared for observing the coastal dynamic of Jakarta Bay during the last climatic variability. Finally, the coastal dynamic of Jakarta Bay is discovered by the movement series of isochrones contour patterns that correspond to the sea-level changes during the last prominent glacial-interglacial stages.

Snow Patches and Their Influence on Coastal Erosion at Baydaratskaya Bay Coast, Kara Sea, Russian Arctic

The Arctic coastal environment is a very dynamic system and sensitive to any changes. In our research we demonstrate that nivation (snow patch activity) impacts the Arctic landscape especially in the coastal dynamic at the western part of Russian Arctic. During fieldwork, snowbanks were described and studied and their qualitative role in the development of coastal systems was revealed for Baydaratskaya Bay coast, the Kara Sea. On one side, the large snow cover protects the coastal slope from thermodenudation and thermoabrasion; on the other side, a thick layer of snow affects the ground temperature regime. During snow melting, snow patches contribute to the removal of material from the coastal slope. The quantitative effect of snow on the ground temperature regime was assessed according to numerical simulations. The critical snow thickness was determined based on a calculation. Critical snow thicknesses based on simulation and field data correlated well. The numerical simulation showed the talik formation under the snow patch. Talik size essentially depends on the freezing temperature of sediment (influenced by salinity). The changes of ground temperature regime might further generate thawing settlement of sediment under snow and contribute to beach topography, which might be a trigger for thermoabrasion.

Geoarchaeological and Paleo-Hydrological Overview of the Central-Western Mediterranean Early Neolithic Human–Environment Interactions

Climate change is still a subject of debate for archaeologist-neolithicists. Its exact chronology, internal pattern, variations in space and time, and impacts on sites and ecosystems and on coastal dynamic and river systems have yet to be assessed. Only a strict comparative approach at high chronological resolution will allow us to make progress on the causality of the socio-environmental processes at work during Neolithisation. Post-depositional impacts on the Early Neolithic hidden reserve also remain underestimated, which has led to the perpetuation of terms such as “Macedonian desert” and “archaeological silence” in the literature on the Neolithic. Off-site geoarchaeological and paleoenvironmental approaches provide some answers to these questions and opens up new research perspectives.

Coastal Dynamic and Evolution: Case Studies from Different Sites around the World

In recent decades, coastal areas have experienced a progressive increase in erosion and flooding processes as a consequence of the combined effect of natural factors and strong human pressures. These processes are particularly evident on low-lying areas and are expected to be exacerbated by the ongoing climate change, which will impact the littorals both in the short term, by affecting the duration and frequency of storms, and in the long term, by inducing variation in the sea-level position. In this context, this Special Issue is devoted to collecting geomorphological studies on coastal dynamic and evolution by means of multidisciplinary research methodologies and investigations, which represent a very useful set of information for supporting the integrated management of coastal zone. The volume includes 14 papers addressing three main topics (i) shoreline characterization, dynamic and evaluation; (ii) coastal hazard evaluation and impact assessment of marine events; and (iii) relevance of sediment collection and analysis for beach nourishment. Case studies from Russia, Italy, California (USA), Morocco, Spain, Indonesia, Ireland and Colombia are shown in the Special Issue, giving to the reader a wide overview of coastal settings and methodological approaches.

PRESENT CONDITION OF MANGROVE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN TOMINI GULF, SULAWESI, INDONESIA

The mangroves in Tomini Gulf have been exploited for chiefly conversion of mangrove areas into shrimp cultivation and extraction of mangrove wood for various purposes. In this study, interpretation to available map and satellite images and ground check were conducted to describe intertidal environment conditions and general processes of coastal dynamic. At local scale, physiographic factors were used to classify mangrove sub-habitats. A total of 159 sample points were selected to observe structure of vegetation, and the revised two ways classification of Specht was applied to classify structural classification of vegetation. The criterion of mangrove disturbance was developed to classify disturbance level. Interview and field check were conducted to assess the successfulness of implemented rehabilitation programs. Results indicated that there were obvious changes in mangrove vegetation over much the intertidal environments, and these might influence the future development and regeneration of the mangroves. While most rehabilitation programs were unsuccessful, mangrove exploitations still continued. If a sustainable management plan is not developed, the degradation will continue and spread, and the mangrove will lose its ecological functions.

Ocean Dynamics Observed by the VIIRS Day-Night Band Measurements

Three cases of Day-Night Band (DNB) observations of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) are explored for applications to assess the ocean environment and monitor ocean dynamics. An approach to use the DNB radiance ratio was developed in order to better continuously assess the ocean diurnal and short-term environmental changes with VIIRS DNB observations. In the La Plata River Estuary, the sediment fronts showed 20–25 km diurnal inshore-offshore movements on March 13, 2017. In the waters off the Argentina coast in the South Atlantic, VIIRS DNB measurements provided continuous observations and monitoring of the algae bloom development and migration between 24–26 March 2016. This algae bloom generally kept the same spatial patterns, but moved nearly 20 km eastward in the three-day period. In the Yangtze River Estuary and Hangzhou Bay region in China’s east coast, VIIRS DNB observations also revealed the complicated coastal dynamic changes between 12–14 April 2017. Even though there are still some challenges and limitations for monitoring the ocean environment with VIIRS DNB observations, this study shows that satellite DNB observations can provide additional data sources for ocean observations, especially observations during the nighttime.