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Coastal progradation in response to the recent sea level rise: a case study of El Grine coast, Gulf of Gabes (Southeastern Tunisia)

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Abstract

Over the last 30 years El Grine coast recorded significant morphological changes leading to the shoreline progradation. Diachronic coastal evolution, through a set of satellite images data, supported by sedimentologic analysis of five sand cores have been applied to elucidate tidal flat reaction following the recent sea level rise. We found that an emerging sandy barrier and salt marsh domain were shaped by the local hydro-sedimentary processes. The marine sediments, mobilised by wave and tide currents, have been the sole sedimentary source. Recent sandy accumulations, occurred around 1987, have been able to balance a recent sea level rise. While during a mid-Holocene period, El Grine coast was governed by net erosion tendency inducing cliff recession.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.R. Applied Hydrosciences 06/UR/10-03, Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Techniques, University of Gabes, Cité Erryadh, 6072, Gabes, Tunisia

    Maher Gzam, Mohamed Ouaja & Younes Jedoui

  2. National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, Soukra, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia

    Mohamed Moncef Serbaji

Authors
  1. Maher Gzam
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  2. Mohamed Moncef Serbaji
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  3. Mohamed Ouaja
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  4. Younes Jedoui
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Correspondence to Maher Gzam.

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Gzam, M., Serbaji, M.M., Ouaja, M. et al. Coastal progradation in response to the recent sea level rise: a case study of El Grine coast, Gulf of Gabes (Southeastern Tunisia). Arab J Geosci 6, 5007–5016 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0713-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0713-4

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