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Article
Publication date: 13 June 2008

Achilleas G. Samaras and Christopher G. Koutitas

To study the impact of River Nestos (North Greece) dams construction on coastal morphology.

Abstract

Purpose

To study the impact of River Nestos (North Greece) dams construction on coastal morphology.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to study the evolution of the coastal morphology in the area, an “one‐line shoreline change model” was developed (PELNCON). The model's input comprises the field characteristics, the wave characteristics at the breaker line and a “source” term for the sediment supply rate by River Nestos. The model calculates the shoreline change over a given period of time. The annually transported sediment quantity by the river is estimated using filed measurements and other models' results for various sites along the Greek part of the hydrologic basin of Nestos (Nestos is a transboundary river extending along Greece and Bulgaria).

Findings

The “PELNCON” results demonstrate a serious erosion threat for the coastal area due to the sediment budget deficit of about 1.8 × 106 m3/year.

Research limitations/implications

The developed model is subject to common structural weaknesses of computational modelling based on the one‐line shoreline change theory.

Practical implications

The developed model is user‐friendly and can be applied to any coastal area of known characteristics, providing realistic results.

Originality/value

This paper is an attempt to model the correlation between two large‐scale phenomena, namely coastal erosion and water/sediment management in river basins, setting at the same time the basis for further study on this particular scientific field.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 June 2020

Kamaruzzaman Yunus, M.A. Zuraidah and Akbar John

This study aims to examine the metal pollution in coastal sediment in the Peninsular Malaysia.

10876

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the metal pollution in coastal sediment in the Peninsular Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Approximately 141 published studies were screened from 1,285 documents and reviewed to determine the existing pollution status in the coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia and the metals under review were Pb, Hg, Cd, Ar, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni. Sources of pollutants and their effect on biological systems, marine organisms and human health were addressed in this review as well as recommendation of heavy metal removal or remedies in short. Emphasis is placed on marine pollution, particularly on the toxic metal accumulation in biota.

Findings

This study has revealed the different concentrations of pollutants, low, moderately, and chronically contaminated areas from heavy metals and the consequences to aquatic ecosystem and indirectly to human health, since an increasing in the coastal developments in Peninsular Malaysia.

Originality/value

This study has revealed the different concentrations of pollutants, low, moderately, and chronically contaminated areas from heavy metals and the consequences to aquatic ecosystem and indirectly to human health, since an increasing in the coastal developments in Peninsular Malaysia.

Details

Ecofeminism and Climate Change, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2633-4062

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1990

P. McDonald, G.T. Cook and M.S. Baxter

Seaweeds are known accumulators of trace elements and edibleseaweeds are popular commodities in health food outlets. This particularstudy covered an area directly affected by…

88

Abstract

Seaweeds are known accumulators of trace elements and edible seaweeds are popular commodities in health food outlets. This particular study covered an area directly affected by discharges from the Dounreay and Sellafield nuclear plants. The results indicate that radionuclide activity levels in Scottish edible seaweeds are low but are marginally high on the north‐west coast than the north‐east. Natural radionuclides are about two orders of magnitude more abundant than those from the nuclear industry. Comparisons were made with Japanese seaweeds: activities were within the same range.

Details

Environmental Management and Health, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-6163

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 June 2021

Md Mahdi Hj Abd Latif and Gabriel Y.V. Yong

The coast at Berakas in the Brunei-Muara district of Brunei Darussalam suffers from erosion caused by a combination of fluvial and marine processes. This paper investigates the…

Abstract

The coast at Berakas in the Brunei-Muara district of Brunei Darussalam suffers from erosion caused by a combination of fluvial and marine processes. This paper investigates the rate and pattern of erosion along a 1.8-km stretch of coast to compare the difference between the unprotected and protected sections. We used (i) image and spatial analysis and (ii) field geomorphology. The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) in ArcGIS was used to compare the study area using two Google Earth images. The study found that the unprotected section had receded by 4.6 m between 2009 and 2019, while the protected section had advanced by 8.0 m over the same period; intense gullying and slumping of cliff continued at both sections. The detached headland breakwaters in the protected section were effective in stabilizing the coast. A concrete drain installed parallel to the cliff edge appears to be capable of intercepting storm runoff, but its effectiveness was undermined by lack of maintenance. We conclude that terrestrial-fluvial processes continue to erode coastal land and cause slumping of the cliff face at Berakas. However, coastal protection structures that curb the marine process could stabilize the coastline, even where sediment transport is active.

Details

Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1819-5091

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 September 2019

Pollyana C.V. Morais, Marcielly F.B. Lima, Davi A. Martins, Lysandra G. Fontenele, Joyce L.R. Lima, Ícaro Breno da Silva, Lidriana S. Pinheiro, Ronaldo F. Nascimento, Rivelino M. Cavalcante and Elissandra V. Marques

An efficient and adequate environmental monitoring plan is essential to any integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) program. The purpose of this paper is to apply an…

Abstract

Purpose

An efficient and adequate environmental monitoring plan is essential to any integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) program. The purpose of this paper is to apply an environmental diagnostic study to a coastal lagoon using anthropogenic markers as a decision support tool to aid the development of coastal environmental management policies.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, environmental status and anthropogenic sources were determined as part of a coastal environmental management plan; a study of human occupation and use was conducted to determine the predominant human activities around the lagoon; an environmental diagnostic study was conducted to determine the occurrence, levels and distribution of markers; and the results of the environmental diagnostic study were compared to indicators stipulated in Brazilian legislation.

Findings

Land use study revealed both urban and rural activities around the lagoon, as evidenced by the existence of residences, restaurants as well as poultry and livestock activities. The environmental diagnostic study revealed the input of human sewage (treated and raw) and runoff from animal husbandry activities.

Practical implications

The information produced using anthropogenic markers showed the influence of less studied rural activities, such as livestock and poultry farming, thereby providing a more reliable environmental status compared to the use of classic indicators employed in laws issued by international and Brazilian agencies.

Originality/value

The present results show that classic indicators used by environmental agencies are insufficient for an accurate diagnosis of coastal zones with multiple anthropogenic activities. Thus, the modernization of the environmental monitoring plan of the ICZM program is urgently needed for a more accurate assessment of coastal environments.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1995

Roger H. Charlier and Christian P. De Meyer

Coastal sections suffering from erosion generally show the commonsymptom of a lack of available sand to allow the build up of the naturalcoastal barrier. Soft methods of coastal

1563

Abstract

Coastal sections suffering from erosion generally show the common symptom of a lack of available sand to allow the build up of the natural coastal barrier. Soft methods of coastal protection, including beach nourishment, profile nourishment, feeder berms, compensation‐dredging, aim to tackle the problem at its source, i.e. by supplying sand to the system. When thoroughly designed, these methods are considered the best technical/economical and appropriate solutions.

Details

Environmental Management and Health, vol. 6 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-6163

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 31 December 2010

K. Chandrasekar and R.R. Krishnamurthy

History has taught us that every aspect of the world around us is changing. Right from its formation, the earth has been evolving climatically, edaphically, and biotically to its…

Abstract

History has taught us that every aspect of the world around us is changing. Right from its formation, the earth has been evolving climatically, edaphically, and biotically to its present state. The forcing for all these changes in the past was natural, and human activities had least influence till the industrial revolution. Since the beginning of the 18th century, human activities associated with the industrial revolution have changed the composition of the atmosphere and thereby having a greater influence on the earth's climate. The use of fossil fuels like coal and oil coupled with deforestation has increased the concentration of heat-trapping “greenhouse gases,” which prevent the heat from the earth escaping to space. Because of this, the very greenhouse gases, which helped sustain life on the earth under normal circumstances, have become detrimental due to its higher concentration. Several models have predicted that the rising concentrations of greenhouse gases produce an increase in the average surface temperature of the earth over time. Rising temperatures may, in turn, produce changes in precipitation patterns, storm severity, and sea level, commonly referred to as “climate change.” The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines climate change broadly as “any change in climate over time whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.” The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines climate change as “a change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity, that alters the composition of the global atmosphere, and that is in addition to natural climate variability over comparable time periods.”

Details

Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction: Issues and Challenges
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-487-1

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2017

Anjan Kumer Dev Roy

This paper aims to examine the issues of environment and climate change policy gaps and their impacts on the natural resources and ecosystems in southwest coastal Bangladesh. The…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the issues of environment and climate change policy gaps and their impacts on the natural resources and ecosystems in southwest coastal Bangladesh. The effects of the increasing human activities as well as natural disasters due to the environment and climate change are analysed. The policy options as a response to mitigation, adaptation and possible human suffering as consequences are explored through discourse analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied focus group discussions, workshop and field visits to collect the data and information to explore environment and climate change policy-related problems.

Findings

It was found that there is a need for major policy reform to guide development interventions to reverse salinity, waterlogging, migration and groundwater recharging problems for sustainable environmental and ecosystem management in the region.

Originality/value

The paper then underscores the need for governments at all levels to adequately fund geo-information-based development interventions as adequate and proactive responses to environmental management and development to combat future environmental and climate change problems in the region.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2007

Chung Dang Huu

The paper aims to present a study on the effects of temperature and salinity on the vertical distribution of suspended sand concentration and transport rate on the basis of 1DV…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to present a study on the effects of temperature and salinity on the vertical distribution of suspended sand concentration and transport rate on the basis of 1DV model.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite difference method based on the implicit scheme of Crank‐Nicolson with an irregular grid was used for the fluid flow equation and the implicit upwind scheme with a staggered grid for the equation of concentration diffusion. The model was applied to five tests of the data sets from the Delta Flume with three different cases of temperature and salinity on the basis of parameterisation of the kinematic viscosity, the turbulence‐related sediment mixing coefficient and the concentration at the reference level.

Findings

The computed results showed that the vertical distributions of suspended sand concentration depend on salinity and specially, on temperature. When temperature increases or salinity decreases, the settling process of particles occurs considerably faster. For fine sand, the discrepancy on suspended sand transport rates due to temperature or salinity decreases with wave height. For coarse sand, the effect of temperature and salinity is not much affected by the wave height.

Originality/value

The quantitative evaluation of the roles of salinity, especially temperature once again confirmed their importance for the sediment transport and the process of coastal morphology. The further sense from this research may suggest some new ideas on the tendency of evolution of sea bed due to the warming of the earth in the future.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 4 December 2012

M. Aminul Islam

This chapter highlights ecosystem-based adaptation in coastal Bangladesh aimed at securing climate and disaster-resilient environment for safer life and livelihood for vulnerable…

Abstract

This chapter highlights ecosystem-based adaptation in coastal Bangladesh aimed at securing climate and disaster-resilient environment for safer life and livelihood for vulnerable communities in the face of changing climate. Development intervention based on the opportunities offered by the nature and adaptation management plan from the perspective of vulnerability analysis can make a substantive difference in enhancing resilience. Engagement of broad-based stakeholders at vertical and horizontal levels in building adaptive capacity can be linked through both at the policy and institutional levels as well as at ecosystem levels for effective results. Innovation in convergence of disaster risk reduction and adaptation through fish, fruit, and forest as a part of livelihood integrated into the coastal afforestation ensure better livelihood in a safer coastal habitats. Such forest-based adaptive livelihood and carbon sequestration help land development that is promising to offset the sea level rise due to higher rate of siltation. Climate resilient habitat is another innovative initiative that protects the households, and their livelihood is protected by eco-engineering structures and green defense to make it safer from cyclone and tidal surge.

Details

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-691-1

Keywords

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