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- Title
The influence of climatic and anthropogenic processes on more than one and a half century of Danube Delta coastline dynamics.
- Authors
TĂTUI, Florin; VESPREMEANU-STROE, Alfred; CONSTANTINESCU, Ștefan; CONSTANTIN, Sorin; ZĂINESCU, Florin
- Abstract
Shoreline evolution can vary significantly across various temporal and spatial scales. This dynamic behavior is primarily attributed to the rapid adjustments in form and processes that occur on sandy coasts. Low and highenergy wave conditions are typically associated with periods of accretion and erosion, but the extent of these changes can vary significantly depending on the specific local conditions and the temporal and spatial scales being considered. Through successive comparisons of historical maps (since mid-nineteenth century), satellite images, aerial photos, and GPS surveys, in relation to various forcing factors (storminess and river sediment discharge), we try to explain the influence of climatic and anthropogenic processes on Danube Delta coastline dynamics in the last 170 years on centennial to decadal timescales. We show that Danube Delta coastline experienced variable dynamics, depending on the factors and processes which had the leading role at different temporal and spatial scales. At centennial timescales, shoreline evolution was highly influenced by the threefold decrease of Danube sediment discharge in the last century (mainly after 1950, as a result of dams construction in the Danube watershed), especially along the accumulative sectors of secondary deltas. On multi-decadal scale, storminess (as a result of climate variability) was the driving factor for coastline changes. Human influence superposed on the natural response of the coast to variability of climatic, hydrological, and hydrodynamic (marine) factors. All these changes resulted in different shoreline morphology and configuration along Danube Delta coast (e.g., the transition from fluvial- to wave-influenced morphology of the Chilia lobe; the shifting of the Sf. Gheorghe mouth from an asymmetric to a deflected wave-influenced delta morphology). The last three decades have been marked by the extension of erosional processes. Our results offer a general perspective of the processes driving Danube Delta coastline dynamics, overseeing the future trends of shoreline evolution in the next decades. This data can be crucial for coastal planners and managers in order to take informed decisions in the future Danube Delta management plans.
- Subjects
DANUBE River Delta (Romania &; Ukraine); SHORELINES; GLOBAL Positioning System
- Publication
Revista de Geomorfologie, 2023, Vol 25, p27
- ISSN
1453-5068
- Publication type
Article