Efectos de puertos y obras marítimas | 17/24 | UPV
Introduction and Environmental Effects of Ports and Maritime Works
Inmaculada Romero, a professor in the Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Environment at the Technical School of Civil Engineers, discusses the common environmental effects caused by ports and maritime works.
Coastal Development and Impact
- The coastal areas, once primarily for sailors and fishermen, are now leisure spaces. Spain has about 7,900 km of coast, with 24% as beaches – 40% urbanized or urbanizable.
- Coastal zones in Spain host 35% of the total population and 82% of tourists. Urbanization leads to destruction and privatization, necessitating conservation efforts.
Objectives and Coastal Dynamics
- Objectives include summarizing key aspects of the environment affecting coasts due to human actions. Understanding coastal dynamics is crucial for engineering projects.
- Coastal dynamics involve physical mechanisms like waves, winds, tides affecting sediment movement causing erosion or stability. Human activities also impact coasts significantly.
Human Activities Affecting Coasts
- Human interventions such as dams, urban development, sand exploitation disrupt sediment transport leading to coastal degradation.
- Actions like river damming reduce sediment flow impacting coastlines. Urban structures hinder sediment movement affecting coastal ecosystems negatively.
Environmental Impacts of Maritime Works
This section delves into the environmental impacts arising from maritime constructions like ports.
Anthropogenic Actions on Coastlines
- Human activities like dredging affect biotic life and water quality through suspended solids increase. Coastal defense measures impact marine ecosystems significantly.
- Various coastal defense structures like groins or dunes regeneration alter coastal landscapes positively but can have adverse environmental consequences.
Effects on Coastal Areas
- Restoration efforts post-construction show improved coastal ecosystems. However, these activities can lead to unintended environmental repercussions.
- Port developments influence beach growth or regression due to local currents' sedimentation patterns impacting water quality within port basins.
Water Quality Concerns and Contaminants
Water quality issues related to port activities are discussed along with potential contaminants affecting marine environments.
Water Quality Implications
- Morphology within port basins affects water quality dynamics significantly. Factors like residence time influence plankton diversity and biomass levels.
New Section
The impact of human activities on coastal areas, focusing on the environmental effects caused by various actions.
Human Activities and Environmental Impact
- Certain anti-fouling paints and metal compounds used in boats can contaminate water bodies.
- Construction projects like docks and basins can alter habitats, affecting fauna diversity.