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A Modeling Approach to Assess the Key Factors in the Evolution of Coastal Systems: the Ebro North Hemidelta Case

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Abstract

One-Line shoreline evolution models have been used as a tool to understand and forecast long-term coastal evolution. However, in some coastal environments, where the influence of the wind is important, the limitations of existing models preclude its direct application to characterize its effect on sediment transport processes. To fill this knowledge gap, we have developed a shoreline evolution model that includes the effect of wind on longshore sediment transport and accounts for beach-dune sedimentary exchange due to aeolian transport. The model produces quantitative estimates of sediment transport and exchanges rates alongshore, easing the assessment of the role of different forcing agents in coastline evolution. The model was applied to the Ebro north hemidelta coast. The results are used to discuss the relative importance of the wind interaction in the evolution of different coastline stretches. Aeolian sand transport at Riumar Beach could cause coastal erosion. At the rectilinear coast, aeolian exchange does not seem to influence the shoreline evolution but the wind-current interaction does. The model provides valuable data when considering the approach to be taken regarding conservation measures. Alongshore aeolian sediment transport can be useful when designing and placing aeolian sediment traps. Conservation of the Ebro north hemidelta coast needs to focus on increasing the river sediment supply. The application herein presented can be regarded as a first step in understanding wave and wind coupling effects in shoreline evolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Energía y Combustibles, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Alenza, 4, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    Fernando Barrio-Parra

  2. Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, 28933, Madrid, Spain

    Inmaculada Rodríguez-Santalla

  3. Instituto Dom Luiz, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal

    Rui Taborda & Mónica Ribeiro

  4. Instituto Hidrográfico, Rua das Trinas, 1249-903, Lisbon, Portugal

    Mónica Ribeiro

Authors
  1. Fernando Barrio-Parra
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  2. Inmaculada Rodríguez-Santalla
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  3. Rui Taborda
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  4. Mónica Ribeiro
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Correspondence to Fernando Barrio-Parra.

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Communicated by William Boicourt

Highlights

•A shoreline model considering wind related transport is presented.

•The relative importance of wave- and wind-related transport in shoreline evolution was assessed.

•Model results allow identifying conservation needs along the shoreline.

•Aeolian transport estimations alongshore could be useful in dune conservation.

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Barrio-Parra, F., Rodríguez-Santalla, I., Taborda, R. et al. A Modeling Approach to Assess the Key Factors in the Evolution of Coastal Systems: the Ebro North Hemidelta Case. Estuaries and Coasts 40, 758–772 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-016-0183-0

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