Coastal erosion in Shandong of China: status and protection challenges

Shandong has more than 70% of natural coasts are under erosion. Coastal erosion started from the 1970’s and became a very serious problem at 1990’s. The dramatic decrease of sediment supplies from rivers caused rapid erosion at the delta and estuary areas, especially in the abandoned Yellow River Delta. Most sandy coasts along the Peninsula were eroded due to lack of sand supply and interruption of alongshore sediment drift, sand dredging from the beach or the offshore area caused serious erosion during short time. Sea-level rise causes slow but constant shoreline retreats and became a more serious threat. Different types of hard solutions for coastal protection against erosion were used in Shandong. Seawalls are most widely used, especially at the Yellow River Delta and city center waterfront. Groynes, jetties and breakwater are used on the north and east sandy coast of the Peninsula. Hard approaches are effective to protect the coast erosion but not change the erosion causes and led secondary impact on the coast. Soft engineering solution or the combined solutions are taken into acts. Beach nourishment is mostly considered as the better soft solution, especially to those tourists attracting sandy beaches along the Shandong coast. Long term monitoring and continuous lessons learning from the coastal erosion management will be adaptive for better coast solution in the future.     

Social justice in coastal erosion management: The temporal and spatial dimensions

Coastal erosion management is primarily based on economic considerations (cost-benefit analysis). From the perspective of social justice (as a particular expression of the wider concept of human rights), however, several arguments can be advanced regarding public intervention in coastal defence management when private property is threatened by coastal erosion. In this paper we examine these arguments at both the short-term local scale and the long-term large spatial scale and consider the merits of inclusion of a social justice dimension in coastal erosion management. The coast provides a range of resources that benefit society as a whole. Coastal residents and property owners face a direct financial loss from coastal erosion but the general public also stands to incur losses other than purely financial if it there is public intervention for the benefit of these property owners. The arguments for public intervention are strongest at the local and short-term scales but they weaken (and even reverse) at geographically larger and longer time scales. At larger scales, the costs to society increase as intergenerational equity, non-coastal residents, climate and sea level change, and the environment are considered. Because of the intensity of interest involved at the local level, we argue that the necessary hard decisions must be made nationally if a sustainable policy is to be adopted. Social justice considerations provide a potential improvement on the traditional economic cost/benefit-based decision-making process of coastal erosion management but they only contribute to sustainability if viewed at the national level.     

Erosion problems in Alexandroupolis coastline,North-Eastern Greece

This paper deals with the coastal erosion processes and the related problems around the city of Alexandroupolis, NE Aegean Sea, N. Greece. The area is very fast developing, as the city is an important port and a summer resort center in SE Balkans, and will become soon a transportation and energy center, as well. The coastline under study exhibits an east–west orientation and has a length of more than 50 km. The spatial distribution and the characteristics of the changes in the shoreline were studied by comparing old and new air photographs and topographic maps, as well as through repeated series of field observations and local measurements regarding the erosion process. From these studies it was concluded that the greater stretch of the western part of the coast, under consideration, is of moderate to high relief, with a considerable participation of coastal cliffs. It consists of conglomerates of varying granulometry and consistency and is under moderate to severe erosion process. The erosion phenomena in the western part of the coast may be attributed, primarily, to strong S, SW winds, blowing in the area and to trapping of sediments by Alexandroupolis’ port breakwaters; the port stops or/and diverts the sediments to the open sea; and to the east to west longshore sea current, prevailing in the area. The eastern stretch of the coast is a plain area, formed by sandy–silty sediments; being a part of the river Evros’ Delta, it is under deposition and accretes seawards. The majority of the coasts under consideration are classified as coasts of high wave energy potential. Hard structures, as shore protection measures, have been constructed in some places, but they were proved, in rather short time-period, ineffective and suffered extensive failures. Thus, it is argued that for a long-term cost-effective tackling of the various erosion problems on any stretch, priority must be given to soft engineering measures; although, certain hard measures, carefully selected and locally implemented, can contribute to forming a rational combination of protection/mitigation measures. Besides, the development pressures in the coastal zone have to be confronted, in a sustainable way, through new integrated coast management regulations.     

渤海湾西岸海岸带现代地质作用及影响因素分析

通过对渤海湾西岸粉砂淤泥质海岸带的现代地质作用调查与分析,阐述了渤海湾海岸带在现代地质作用下侵蚀和淤积并存的现状:目前潮间带上部在不断淤高,而潮下带则存在侵蚀,正处于淤蚀过渡期。遥感资料及沉积物粒度的进一步分析,认为渤海湾西岸现代地质作用的影响因素及海岸带淤积泥砂主要来自岸滩下部及浅海区的侵蚀作用。提出在海岸开发中注意防淤的同时,高度重视侵蚀作用可能对海岸带造成的危害。     

Rapid erosion of the coast of Sagar island, West Bengal - India

The coastal zone of the Sagar island has been studied. The island has been subjected to erosion by natural processes and to a little extent by anthropogenic activities over a long period. Major landforms identified in the coastal area of the Sagar island are the mud flats/salt marshes, sandy beaches/dunes and mangroves. The foreshore sediments are characterized by silty, slightly sandy mud, slightly silty sand and silty sand. Samples 500 m inland from high waterline are silty slightly sandy mud, and by clayey slightly sandy mud. The extent of coastline changes are made by comparing the topographic maps of 1967 and satellite imageries of 1996, 1998 and 1999. Between 1967 and 1999 about 29.8 km² of the island has been eroded and the accreted area is only 6.03 km². Between 1996 and 1998 the area underwent erosion of 13.64 km² while accretion was 0.48 km². From 1998 to 1999, 3.26 km² additional area was eroded with meager accretion. Erosion from 1997 to 1999 was estimated at 0.74 km² /year; however, from 1996 to 1999, the erosion rate was calculated as 5.47 km²/year. The areas severely affected by erosion are the northeastern, southwestern and southeastern faces of the island. As a consequence of coastal erosion, the mud flats/salt marshes, sandy beaches/dunes and mangroves have been eroded considerably. Deposition is experienced mainly on the western and southern part of the island. The island is built primarily by silt and clay, which can more easily be eroded by the waves, tides and cyclonic activities than a sandy coast. Historic sea level rises accompanied by land subsidence lead to differing rates of erosion at several pockets, thus periodically establishing new erosion planes.     

Access to the coast and erosion control: use of wastes on local engineering works in the coast of Gaza City

 Investment in the coastal resources of Gaza City is vital to various developmental issues and projects. Access to the coast and coastal erosion represent two major geo-environmental problems to the city. This paper describes local engineering works developed by the municipality and local people to overcome such problems. A cliff of calcareous sandstone – Kurkar as it is locally known – (up to 18 m high), is located at a distance of 20–50 m from the water–land contact. People who need to reach the beach must cross this Kurkar cliff. The engineering works used to facilitate access to the beach are: old automobile tires, white waste skeletons (refrigerators) and construction waste, where long stairs were designed using these materials. Meanwhile the engineering works which were used as erosion control measures include: rock gabions, concrete wastes, construction waste, concrete walls and shallow excavations. Such practices are commonly used in third world countries and are characterized by inexpensive transportation and implementation costs. The performance of these methods was evaluated from an economic, environmental and safety point of view. Suggestions were made to improve the performance of these practices in the future. Received: 18 November 1998 · Accepted: 15 February 1999     

河北省海岸侵蚀动态及成因机制研究

河北省沙质岸滩存在海岸侵蚀现象,对沙滩旅游、海滩工程建设造成严重威胁,制约河北省海洋经济社会发展。海岸侵蚀监测结果显示,区域海滩滩面受波浪、潮流影响较大,时冲时淤,摆动频繁,沙质岸滩整体处于侵蚀状态,各区段蚀淤情况有所差异,高潮线以上有所淤高,海滩坡度开始变陡,呈下蚀状态。海岸侵蚀灾害已引起沙滩沙质粗化、滩肩变窄、滩坡变陡及基岩裸露比率增多等问题。针对这一突出问题,通过定点测量与遥感监测相结合的方式,研究了河北省海岸线动态演变特征,经计算,河北省各侵蚀岸段海岸侵蚀速率达1.0~4.0m/a,单宽体积侵蚀量-1.42~-19.08m~3/m·a。综合分析显示,人类海岸工程建设、区域海洋水文条件及输砂量减少,是河北省发生海岸侵蚀发生的主要原因。     

Estimating long-term cliff recession rates from shore platform widths

Coastal cliff erosion is a problem in many coastal areas. However, often only very limited data are available to quantify the rates of recession for the development of coastal management strategies. In the soft flysch deposits of the Waitemata Group, Auckland, New Zealand, coastal cliffs are associated with shore platforms. Two models exist for the profile evolution of shore platforms and associated cliffs: the first suggests that an equilibrium profile develops in response to erosive processes, and this profile subsequently migrates landward; the second model suggests that the seaward margin of the shore platform is relatively static, and the profile extends landward through a combination of cliff recession and platform lowering. Physical simulations and field measurements for mudstone and limestone lithologies indicate that the second model is more likely for soft flysch deposits. A eustatic sea-level curve for the Weiti Estuary, Auckland, suggests that up to 7120 ± 70 years have been available for shore platform development since sea level reached the present seaward margins of shore platforms. Shore platform widths were measured using GPS at two sites in Waitemata Group rocks: the North Shore of Auckland; and the southern side of the Tawharanui Peninsula, North Auckland. The long-term cliff recession rates estimated from shore platform widths (1.4 ± 0.1 to 14.3 ± 0.1 mm y^− 1) are consistent with the lower end of the average range of cliff top and face recession rates published for Waitemata Group rocks using different methods (11–75 mm y^− 1), and in agreement with cliff base recession estimates (3.5 mm y^− 1). Shore platform widths were qualitatively related to the rock mass characteristics of the associated cliffs, and therefore platform widths could provide a method of identifying regions of potential hazard.     

Sediment transport analysis as a component of coastal management— a UK example

Detrimental effects of engineering works on the coast and a wish to conserve parts of the coastline have increased realization among coastal managers of the need to examine shoreline problems and proposals for protection in a wider spatial context than the site itself and over a longer time scale than the past few years. This paper outlines the approach taken in one region of the United Kingdom, the central south coast of England, to provide that wider perspective. Authorities responsible for coastal protection and sea defenses formed a coastal group, which, among other activities, commissioned research aimed at providing a greater understanding on which to base shoreline management decisions. A major project undertaken was a sediment transport study in which all existing information relating to coastal sediment processes in the region was collated and analyzed. All inputs, flows, and outputs of sediment were documented. Links between processes were examined for each part of the region. Finally, nine littoral cells of sediment circulation were identified and were suggested as forming a framework for shoreline management. The methods of compilation and analysis are outlined here and are exemplified for one area in the region. The approach is recommended as a cost-effective basis for strategic management of the coast in developed regions.     

Coastal Case Study-Clarence City Council

This report chooses Clarence City Council as the coastal jurisdiction and analyzes its planning processes and instruments for its potential to build resilience to climate change impacts on the coast. In the first part, it introduces the change of Australia’s climate and consequences of climate change. Based on analysis of sea level rise, inundation and erosion risk, it shows climate change has impacts on Clarence coastal areas in Tasmania. This paper shows the three key elements for successful coastal management (retreat, accommodation and protection) and discusses the factors that impede resilience. Finally, there are some recommendations that may be helpful for climate change impacts and local council     

A geoarchaeological approach to the evolution of the town and port of Dover: Prehistoric to Saxon periods

Dover is located at the mouth of a narrow valley that forms the only significant break in almost 20 km of chalk cliffs along the Kentish Channel coast. This, together with the close proximity of the Continent, has ensured the site's standing as a port since pre-Roman times. However, little is known of the sequence of events associated with the transformation of the area since the later prehistoric period, and in particular the evolution of the harbour which has had at least four different locations. Work to regenerate central Dover has however provided opportunities to address these issues and we report here on geological evidence for harbour development and coastal change from the middle Holocene period to the present day.Foraminifera and ostracods recovered from boreholes and excavations in the town centre allow patterns of sedimentation to be identified and linked to archaeological finds such as the Dover Bronze Age Boat and Roman harbour installations. Radiocarbon dating, and archaeological spot-dating provides a chronological framework for these changes. In particular the later Prehistoric environments and their transformation to estuarine environments by the time of Roman activity in the area are examined (including the role of sea level change and coastal erosion). The history of sedimentation within the Roman harbour and the role played by human activity in accelerating sedimentation in the old valley mouth is also considered. Finally dune formation across former estuarine habitats is documented in the Anglo-Saxon period creating the topographic template on which the modern town is based.     

渤海湾西岸海岸带第四纪地质研究成果概述

本文简要介绍了天津地质调查中心海岸带与第四纪地质研究所(海岸带近现代地质环境变化研究小组)自1998年承担国土资源大调查任务以来,以滨海新区及渤海湾西岸海岸带为主要研究基地所取得的基本成果:(1)确立了泥质海岸带(沿海低地-潮间带-浅海区)地质环境变化(大致划分为(a)晚更新世以来-"小冰期"、(b)"小冰期"结束-现...     

基于生态工程的海岸带全球变化适应性防护策略

在全球变化导致的海平面上升和灾害性气候等压力下,我国海岸带风暴潮、海岸侵蚀、地面沉降等灾害发生频率和强度正在增加,对海岸防护体系的需求日益提高。传统海岸防护工程维护成本高,更新困难,而且可能造成地面沉降、水质恶化、生态退化、渔业资源衰退等后果。基于生态工程的海岸防护提供了抵御海岸带灾害的新理念。修复和重建沙滩、红树林、沼泽湿地、珊瑚礁等海岸带生态系统,可以起到消浪、蓄积泥沙、抬升地面的作用,有效应对全球变化引发的灾害风险,形成更可持续的海岸防护体系。通过分析不同海岸防护技术的优势和限制,认为以生态工程为核心理念构建和管理我国海岸防护体系,才能起到保障社会经济发展和维持生态健康的最佳效果。     

Geo-hazards with characteristics and prevention measures along the coastal regions of China

China has more than 18,000 km long coastline. Along the coastline, there are various configurations of topography, geomorphology, and geology condition. In the coastal regions, geological disasters, including seawater intrusion, coast scouring, land subsidence, karst collapse, soil erosion, collapse-landslide-debris flow (CLDF), and human activity-induced disasters, occur frequently. All of these disasters have their own forming causes, characteristics, and distribution regions. Seawater intrusion and coast scouring only occur in the coastal regions while the others occur in both coastal regions and in-land regions. Land subsidence occurring in the coastal region is of larger scale and entails greater economic loss than that occurring in the in-land region. For the other disasters, although the scale of disaster in the coastal regions is smaller than that happened in the in-land regions, the economic loss in the former case is greater than that in the latter. This is because populations are dense and economy is developed along the coastal regions of China. To mitigate the disasters and reduce the economic loss, countermeasures are discussed.     

海岸带城市地下水分布特征

我国城市海岸带地下水类型和分布主要受控于陆地地质作用,尤以大地构造作用和河流地质作用为主导。松散沉积物类海岸带地下水为孔隙水,含水介质单一,空间变化大,地下水的赋存和分布规律亦相应复杂。以距今78万年晚更新世为界线,可将第四纪松散沉积物含水层组划分为上（浅）下（深）两层（部）。下部的全新统（Q4）和上更新统（Q3）含水岩组以微咸水、咸水多见;上部的中更新统（Q2）和下更新统（Q1）分布有淡水,部分地下淡水资源有一定的供水意义。基岩类海岸带地下水主要为裂隙水和岩溶水,多为淡水,其水资源量与当地的降水量和基岩入渗系数的大小有直接关系。除砂砾石台地的基岩类海岸带、少数溺谷型泥质海岸带的河谷内和碳酸盐岩分布区外,一般无集中供水意义。     

河口三角洲海岸侵蚀及防护措施浅析——以黄河三角洲及长江三角洲为例

进入20世纪50年代以来,我国海岸侵蚀日趋明显,一些海岸带资源或油田设施遭到破坏。针对我国黄河三角洲和长江三角洲海岸线的侵蚀现状,分析了我国海岸线侵蚀的主要因素:河流泥沙减少;海平面的上升或海洋动力因素增强以及人为因素的影响。并对目前我国所采用的海岸防护措施进行了分析。提出了我国海岸防护工程类型较多,应根据海岸侵蚀的特点采用不同的措施或多种形式组合,因势利导,使工程达到最好的防护效果。     

A field quantification of coastal dune perennial plants as indicators of surface stability, erosion or deposition

Dune plants both modify the wind field around them and are impacted by various stress factors, among them sand erosion and sand deposition. As coastal dunes are being either stabilized or remobilized, in response to the changes in the rates of sand and dune movement, the vegetation cover and composition are expected to vary reflecting the differences in the sedimentary conditions. In this field study 315 quadrats of 100 m², in which the perennial plant species were sampled, were analysed with respect to annual rates of sand erosion and deposition that were measured using erosion pins. A visual exploratory data analysis was introduced, based on selective filtering of samples according to their vegetation cover. This method, combined with established statistical tools, enabled the authors to uncover the inclination and indicative power of nine perennial dune plants to either a stabilized or a mobile environment, and to establish whether they are more prevalent in places undergoing sand erosion or sand burial. Two species were found to be clear indicators of a stabilized environment, Stipagrostis lanata , and Retama raetam . Of the species indicating a mobile environment, only one may be stated as a clear indicator of sand erosion: Silene succulenta , with Cyperus macrorrhizus coming close to being an indicator of a less mobile erosive environment. The best indicator species for sand burial was found to be, as expected, Ammophila arenaria , with Artemisia monosperma also indicating high rates of sand mobility especially when its relative cover is higher than 80%. Such information can be used to monitor natural processes of dune stabilization or reactivation, or to assess the success of a management plan that aims at stabilizing a dune, or at remobilizing it by removing vegetation.     

海岸侵蚀灾害管理信息系统的实现

海岸侵蚀灾害的管理是以大量的调查研究成果,特别是长期监测数据为基础进行管理的。海岸侵蚀信息系统建设是针对海岸侵蚀的数据收集、交换到数据利用这样一系列的数据流的处理过程。参考地理信息系统在海洋管理方面的应用,海岸侵蚀灾害管理系统的关键技术,包括:系统基本框架,灾害预测评价模型库、数据框架与数据组织方式、标准体系相关技术研究。     

中国沿岸海平面上升及影响研究的现状与问题

对近年来中国沿岸相对海平面上升趋势及其影响研究的现状进行了总结，着重就目前研究中有关我国沿岸潮滩湿地与其他低地淹没以及加剧的海岸灾害估算等方面存在的难点和问题进行了分析与讨论。并在此基础上提出今后应加强相关基础资料积累、重视海平面上升与其他协同作用因素对研究对象的综合影响、海平面上升引起的海洋水文与海岸环境要素演变以及我国沿岸海岸信息系统研究等方面的建议。     

新疆东天山中段金铜成矿系统研究

依据海岸带的定义,选择陆地和海域的7个特征因子,对中国大陆海岸带26个区段进行Q型聚类分析,定量划分海岸带的类型、研究它们的分布特征。对7个特征因子作R型聚类分析和因子分析,确定影响海岸带发育的主要营力和各种营力之间的关系。数据分析显示,陆地地质作用是控制海岸带形成、发育和演化的主要营力,海洋营力只起改造作用。海岸带陆地地表水流特征既决定海岸的地形地貌和岩性,也控制了海域部分的水下地形地貌和底质岩石成分。从海岸带环境水文地质学角度,中国大陆海岸带可划分为松散岩类和基岩类海岸带两大类型和较粗颗粒底质、细颗粒底质、水动力条件与岩性复杂类等3个松散类海岸带亚类;砾砂粗粒底质、砂砾石台地、水下岸坡或台地等3个基岩类海岸带亚类。