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Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas

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A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Hazards".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2024 | Viewed by 25366

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giorgio Manno

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Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: applied geology; coastal geomorphology; coastal monitoring; coastal risk; coastal change analysis

Dr. Carlo Lo Re

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: wave modelling; wave energy; coastal engineering; coastal erosion; numerical modelling
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Dr. Rosa Molina

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Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Polígono del Río San Pedro s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
Interests: coastal geomorphology; coastal management; coastal trend; coastal evolution; dunes

Dr. Francisco Asensio-Montesinos

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Guest Editor

1. Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Campus Río San Pedro s/n, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, 11510 Cádiz, Spain
2. Instituto Multidisciplinar Para el Estudio del Medio (IMEM), Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
Interests: beach litter; coastal geomorphology; coastal management; coastal scenery; sedimentology

Prof. Dr. Giorgio Anfuso

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Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Marine Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
Interests: coastal geomorphology; coastal short-term evolution; disturbance depth; seasonal evolution; historical changes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue (SI), entitled "Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas", is aimed at collecting case studies from different zones across the world, affected by both natural erosion processes in a climate change scenario and human pollution due to beach oiling and the presence of solid waste materials.

Coastal morpho-dynamic evolution depends on the interaction of coastal forms (beaches, dunes, cliffs, etc.) with hydrodynamic processes that include waves, tides, and wind-induced currents. Such processes are exacerbated by climate change effects, e.g., sea level rise, increases in storm intensities and frequencies, changes in the tracks of storms and hurricanes, etc.

Human impact also plays an important role in coastal degradation because of coastal occupation linked to tourist, urban, and industrial activities, as well as pollution due to the presence of beach litter and/or sporadic oil spill accidents.

Understanding all these phenomena is of great interest in a wide range of science, engineering, socio-economic, environmental, geological, and biological questions. The aim of this Special Issue is to collect novel research and field experience focused on the above-mentioned human and natural impacts.

Therefore, we encourage authors to submit contributions in the following priority areas:

Coastal evolution:

sandy beach morpho-dynamics;
coastal flooding and storm surges;
coastal erosion studies and management;
coastal structures interactions with marine environment;
coastal vulnerability and management strategies;
coastal risk assessment;
wave and coastal parameters trend forecast;
field and laboratory studies on the basis of climate change scenarios;

Coastal pollution:

beach oiling accidents: numerical models and distribution forecast;
Oil spill offshore accidents: hazard maps;
environmental sensitivity maps and contingency plans;
beach litter: characteristics and distributions;
beach litter behaviour in sandy and gravel beaches.

Dr. Giorgio Manno
Dr. Carlo Lo Re
Dr. Rosa Molina
Dr. Francisco Asensio-Montesinos
Prof. Dr. Giorgio Anfuso
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 4187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nature and Distribution of Beach Ridges on the Islands of the Greater Caribbean

by Anna Lisa Cescon, James Andrew Graham Cooper and Derek W. T. Jackson

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(4), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12040565 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 500

Abstract

Beach ridges originate from various depositional processes and occur in a variety of settings. This paper assesses their nature and distribution on the islands of the Greater Caribbean based on a literature review and the identification of sites using Google Earth© 7.3 imagery. The morphological and orientation parameters were measured for each site, and a measure of storm density was developed. These were statistically analysed to develop a classification of beach ridge types. The results show a diversity of beach ridge systems, in terms of setting, morphology, composition and preservation. The presence or absence of an adjacent coral reef is a major differentiating element at the regional level. A regional beach ridge plain classification is proposed, including two main classes, marine beach ridges and river-associated beach ridges, with further sub-divisions based on exposure to hurricanes or hurricanes plus swell waves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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20 pages, 10210 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Application of Shore Sediments Accumulated in Navigation Channel for Restoration of Sandy Beaches around Pärnu City, SW Estonia, Baltic Sea

by Hannes Tõnisson, Rain Männikus, Are Kont, Valdeko Palginõmm, Victor Alari, Sten Suuroja, Tiit Vaasma and Kadri Vilumaa

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(3), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12030394 - 24 Feb 2024

Viewed by 673

Abstract

Sandy beaches high in recreation value make up 16% of the over 4000 km long shoreline of Estonia. The shore processes associated with climate change have remarkably accelerated over recent decades. Many sandy shores have suffered from strong erosion, including an excellent former beach at Valgeranna. The jetties, which were built in the 1860s to protect the navigation channel of Port Pärnu from clogging, have prevented natural sediment transport along the coast from south to north. At the same time, the sandy beach in Pärnu is expanding, and part of the sand accumulates with strong storms also in between the jetties, reducing the width of the shipping channel. The channel needs regular dredging, but, so far, the dredged sediment has been taken far away to the open sea and accumulated on the seabed. The current paper addresses the possibilities of using that sand for beach restoration in destructed and eroded areas. An overview of the applied methods and measurements during field studies is given. The results of modelling the processes of wave activity and sediment transport are discussed. The recycling of shore sediments is an important measure in sustainable coastal zone management. Different options and scenarios are analysed in order to find the most reasonable ways to bring sand back onto beaches and stabilize natural processes. Support from the state by working out respective laws and regulations would be motivating as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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16 pages, 5462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Beach Litter Variability According to the Number of Visitors in Cádiz Beaches, SW Spain

by Gonzalo Fernández García, Francisco Asensio-Montesinos, Giorgio Anfuso and Pedro Arenas-Granados

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12020201 - 23 Jan 2024

Viewed by 608

Abstract

The amount and composition of litter was evaluated during May and June 2021 at two urban beaches, i.e., La Victoria and La Cortadura, in Cádiz, SW Spain. Surveys were carried out daily in the morning and in the evening during the weekends to quantify the daily accumulation of beach litter and relate it to the number of beach users, which was assessed at around 1:00 p.m. Litter amount was also related to cleanup operations that were very mechanically and manually carried out each day very early in the morning. A total of 8108 items were collected at the two investigated sectors during the study period and beach visitors were quantified in 22 surveys. Plastic was the most common material, representing 82% in La Victoria and 68% in La Cortadura. The most common items were cigarette butts and small, hard plastic fragments. Some litter items that were hazardous to beach visitors were identified, such as broken glass. The number of visitors was positively related to the amount of litter. Significant differences were seen in the litter abundance between the morning and evening assessments since the beaches were cleaned daily and bins were available to facilitate trash disposal. Cleaning operations remove many of the litter items but always leave small quantities of small items uncollected. Efforts to prevent litter on these beaches should focus on informing visitors properly in order to avoid littering and on improving cleanup operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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16 pages, 16586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The California Coast and Living Shorelines—A Critical Look

by Gary B. Griggs

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12020199 - 23 Jan 2024

Viewed by 786

Abstract

California and most other coastlines around the world are being impacted by both long-term sea-level rise and short-term extreme events. Due to California’s long and intensively developed coastline, it is an important area for evaluating responses to these challenges. The predominant historic approach to coastal erosion in California and globally has been the construction of hard coastal armoring such as seawalls and rock revetments. The concept of living shorelines—defined as using natural elements like plants, sand, or rocks to stabilize the coastline—has been widely proposed as a soft or green response to coastal erosion and flooding. However, these approaches have very limited application in high-energy environments such as California’s 1100-mile-long outer coast and are not realistic solutions for protection from wave attack at high tides or long-term sea-level rise. Each of the state’s coastal communities need to identify their most vulnerable areas, develop adaptation plans, and plan eventual relocation strategies in response to an accelerating sea-level rise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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22 pages, 30266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Utilizing Numerical Models and GIS to Enhance Information Management for Oil Spill Emergency Response and Resource Allocation in the Taiwan Waters

by Chi-Min Chiu, Laurence Zsu-Hsin Chuang, Wei-Liang Chuang, Li-Chung Wu, Ching-Jer Huang and Yinglong Joseph Zhang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(11), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11112094 - 31 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1065

Abstract

This study aims to establish a comprehensive workflow for developing emergency response plans for both actual and scenario oil spill incidents in the Taiwan waters while addressing the resource allocation for oil spill containment as well. This workflow comprises two vital components. The first component involves the integration of numerical tools and observational data, which includes the incorporation of wind data from sources such as the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) or meteorological stations. Additionally, it incorporates ocean current data simulated by the semi-implicit cross-scale hydroscience integrated system model (SCHISM) into the general NOAA operational modeling environment (GNOME) model, which is a new approach for this purpose. In order to assess the efficacy of this component, two distinct case studies were conducted. The first case study focused on an incident in a northern coastal area of Taiwan under open sea conditions, whereas the second case study examined an incident within a major commercial harbor in central Taiwan. The second component of this workflow involves creating oil risk maps by integrating the results from the first component with specific geographical factors into Google Earth. These oil risk maps serve multiple purposes. They offer real-time information to emergency response commanders regarding oil spill hazard prediction, and they also enable the effective development of emergency response strategies and disposal plans for potential oil spill incidents. This is achieved by generating risk maps for various scenarios using the approach outlined in the first component. Additionally, these maps assist in the assessment and planning of resource allocation for oil containment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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26 pages, 8587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geochemical Characterization of Sediments from the Bibione Coastal Area (Northeast Italy): Details on Bulk Composition and Particle Size Distribution

by Antonello Aquilano, Elena Marrocchino, Maria Grazia Paletta, Umberto Tessari and Carmela Vaccaro

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(9), 1650; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11091650 - 24 Aug 2023

Viewed by 775

Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterize the sediments of the coastal area of Bibione and the Baseleghe Lagoon (Province of Venice, Italy). The characterization includes the assessment of particle size distribution, carbonate content, composition of major oxides, and heavy metal concentrations. The results indicated that the sediments primarily consisted of carbonate but showed significant heterogeneity in both composition and grain size within the different environments of the Bibione coastal area. Carbonate content decreased from the beach to the seabed, which does not appear to be solely influenced by variations in sediment grain size. This finding has potential implications for the Bibione area’s coastal erosion processes and sediment quality. Significant differences in grain size and composition were observed between the mouth and the inner region in the lagoon area. The textural characteristics of the sediments in the inner part of the lagoon make it particularly vulnerable to pollution, with potential environmental and economic consequences. Different pollution indices have indicated the presence of heavy metal contamination in both the coastal and, especially, the lagoon area. The source of these metals appears to be predominantly natural, although there may be some contribution from anthropogenic sources for certain metals. However, the comparison of the metal concentrations in the samples with the limits set by the Italian legislation showed that the sediments were still of good quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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24 pages, 9995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami on South Andaman’s Coastal Shoreline: A Geospatial Analysis of Erosion and Accretion Patterns

by Saurabh Singh, Suraj Kumar Singh, Deepak Kumar Prajapat, Vikas Pandey, Shruti Kanga, Pankaj Kumar and Gowhar Meraj

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(6), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11061134 - 28 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2261

Abstract

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami significantly impacted the coastal shoreline of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, causing widespread destruction of infrastructure and ecological damage. This study aims to analyze the short- and long-term shoreline changes in South Andaman, focusing on 2004–2005 (pre- and post-tsunami) and 1990–2023 (to assess periodic changes). Using remote sensing techniques and geospatial tools such as the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), shoreline change rates were calculated in four zones, revealing the extent of the tsunami’s impact. During the pre- and post-tsunami periods, the maximum coastal erosion rate was −410.55 m/year, while the maximum accretion was 359.07 m/year in zone A, the island’s east side. For the 1990–2023 period, the most significant coastal shoreline erosion rate was also recorded in zone A, which was recorded at −2.3 m/year. After analyzing the result, it can be seen that the tsunami severely affected the island’s east side. To validate the coastal shoreline measurements, the root mean square error (RMSE) of Landsat-7 and Google Earth was 18.53 m, enabling comparisons of the accuracy of different models on the same dataset. The results demonstrate the extensive impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami on South Andaman’s coastal shoreline and the value of analyzing shoreline changes to understand the short- and long-term consequences of such events on coastal ecosystems. This information can inform conservation efforts, management strategies, and disaster response plans to mitigate future damage and allocate resources more efficiently. By better understanding the impact of tsunamis on coastal shorelines, emergency responders, government agencies, and conservationists can develop more effective strategies to protect these fragile ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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20 pages, 5124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Methodology to Design a Wind Transfer Function: Application to the Valdevaqueros Dune (SW Spain)

by Felix P. Martinez-Garcia, Juan J. Muñoz-Perez, Antonio Contreras-de-Villar, Francisco Contreras and Bismarck Jigena-Antelo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(5), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11050923 - 26 Apr 2023

Viewed by 982

Abstract

In general, weather forecasting has been significantly developed at a large scale and, joined with statistical techniques, is used to predict at a local scale. However, there is no way to propagate winds between two nearby locations; this is a spatial transference, for example, for the waves. After studying coastal dunar systems affected by winds, we have proposed a way for the spatial propagation of wind for scales under 10 km. The proposed transference is based on local data, and it is developed in an easy and accurate way by different regression methods and the wind profile theory. The aim of this article is to establish a methodology for achieving a wind transfer function for local applications. For this purpose, we analyzed and compared data from a field experiment and from a nearby weather station. A combination of the wind profile and statistical downscaling technique formed the basis of this research, which leads to transfer equations for wind speeds and directions. To clarify the procedure, the proposed methodology was applied to the Valdevaqueros Coastal Dune in order to develop a transfer function using time series data from a nearby meteorological station located in Tarifa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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21 pages, 3058 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Litter Content of Colombian Beaches and Mangrove Forests: Results from the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts

by Hernando José Bolívar-Anillo, Francisco Asensio-Montesinos, Giovanna Reyes Almeida, Nataly Solano Llanos, Hernando Sánchez Moreno, Christian J. Orozco-Sánchez, Diego Andrés Villate Daza, María Auxiliadora Iglesias-Navas and Giorgio Anfuso

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(2), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020250 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2229

Abstract

Litter abundance and typology were investigated at different beaches and mangrove forests at nine sites on the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Average litter abundance on the Caribbean Sea beaches (1.42 items/m²–12.21 g/m²) and in mangrove forests (1.29 items/m²–28.72 g/m²) were greater than that of the Pacific Ocean beaches (0 items/m²–0 g/m²) and mangrove forests (1.13 items/m²–79.41 g/m²). The most abundant litter material was plastic, which represented 93.61% of the total litter content. According to the Clean Coast Index, the sites analyzed in the Caribbean Sea were “Moderate” to “Extremely Dirty”, while those in the Pacific Ocean were “Clean” to “Moderate Dirty”. The Magdalena River is considered the main source of litter on the Caribbean Sea coast, while on the Pacific Ocean coast, litter is essentially associated with the mismanagement of solid wastes. This study constitutes a baseline on the litter content of beaches and mangrove forests, and is useful for establishing sound strategies for their protection, restoration and conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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19 pages, 3612 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Approach for the Validation of a Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index: An Application in Sicily

by Giorgio Manno, Grazia Azzara, Carlo Lo Re, Chiara Martinello, Mirko Basile, Edoardo Rotigliano and Giuseppe Ciraolo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11010023 - 24 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8089

Abstract

In recent decades, coastal erosion phenomena have increased due to climate change. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme events and the poor sediment supply by anthropized river basins (dams, river weirs, culverts, etc.) have a crucial role in coastal erosion. Therefore, an integrated analysis of coastal erosion is crucial to produce detailed and accurate coastal erosion vulnerability information to support mitigation strategies. This research aimed to assess the erosion vulnerability of the Sicilian coast, also including a validation procedure of the obtained scenario. The coastal vulnerability was computed by means of the CeVI (Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index) approach, which considers physical indicators such as geomorphology and geology, coastal slope, sea storms, wave maxima energy flux and sediment supply to river mouths. Each indicator was quantified using indexes which were assessed considering transects orthogonal to the coastline in 2020. These transects were clustered inside natural compartments called littoral cells. Each cell was assumed to contain a complete cycle of sedimentation and not to have sediment exchange with the near cells. Physical parameters were identified to define a new erosion vulnerability index for the Sicilian coast. By using physical indexes (geological/geomorphological, erosion/sediment supply, sea storms, etc.), the CeVI was calculated both for each littoral cell and for the transects that fall into retreating/advancing coastal areas. The vulnerability index was then validated by comparing CeVI values and the coastline change over time. The validation study showed a direct link between the coastline retreat and high values of CeVI. The proposed method allowed for a detailed mapping of the Sicilian coastal vulnerability, and it will be useful for coastal erosion risk management purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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21 pages, 3468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Vulnerability of the Lucana Coastal Zones (South Italy) to Natural Hazards

by Corinne Corbau, Michele Greco, Giovanni Martino, Elisabetta Olivo and Umberto Simeoni

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(7), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10070888 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1681

Abstract

Coasts are highly dynamic and geo-morphologically complex systems that are exposed to several factors such as waves, extreme meteorological events and climate change. It is also well-recognized that coastal zones, characterized by an increasing population growth, are vulnerable to climate change. In addition, coastal erosion, resulting from natural environment changes and human activities, acts worldwide. Consequently, it is necessary to quantify coastal hazards vulnerability and develop tools to monitor coastal risks and support making targeted climate adaptation policies. In this paper, a framework to estimate coastal vulnerability to flooding and erosion has been developed for the Ionian Basilicata coast. It is based on two methods: the integrated vulnerability index (flooding and erosion) and the CeD physical vulnerability index (multi-risk assessment). Our results are in agreement with the recent shoreline evolution: the integrated coastal risk of the Ionian Basilicata coast is generally medium to high, while the “physical erosion vulnerability” is generally high to very high. In addition, the results highlight a spatial variability of the vulnerability, probably due to the morphology of the beach, which requires developing a strategic approach to coastal management and defining mitigation measures, considering relevant risk aspects as the vulnerability and exposure degree. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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Review

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23 pages, 2737 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Disturbances to the Ecosystems of the Mexican Caribbean, Their Causes and Consequences

by Izchel Gómez, Rodolfo Silva, Debora Lithgow, Janner Rodríguez, Anastazia Teresa Banaszak and Brigitta van Tussenbroek

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(5), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10050644 - 09 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3376

Abstract

In a relatively short timescale (less than 50 years), urbanization has caused many anthropogenic disturbances that have affected ecosystem health and, directly or indirectly, quality of life for the local human population. Global disturbances, such as climate change, can also have a substantial, overarching impact on ecosystems. In this scenario, natural disturbances, previously considered an integral part of ecosystem dynamics, can now cause irreversible change to the state of ecosystems, and at the same time, negatively impact social and economic systems. The objective of this study was to identify ecosystem disturbances at a site of interest to recommend strategies to improve coastal zone management. We chose the Mexican Caribbean as a case study, because its biological and cultural complexity render it an interesting location from a coastal management point of view. The PRISMA framework was used to conduct a systematic literature review to identify the ecosystem disturbances that affect this area, as well as the main causes and consequences of these disturbances. Additionally, we discuss how disturbances and their impacts, as screened through PRISMA, can be incorporated into a coastal zone management framework. Results need to consider the limitations associated with using this technique e.g., the degree of impact from a current disturbance may vary from that reported in an earlier publication. Despite its limitations, we believe that this methodology proves useful for identifying key ecosystem disturbances and their consequences, providing a useful tool for identifying appropriate actions to inform coastal zone management plans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human Impacts in Coastal Areas)

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