Different responses of two adjacent artificial beaches to Typhoon Hato in Zhuhai,China

Major differences in beach erosion between two neighboring artificial beaches Xiangluwan Beach(XL beach)and Meiliwan Beach(ML beach)in Zhuhai,China,were studied after Super Typhoon Hato.In this study,a fully nonlinear Boussinesq wave model(FUNWAVE)-Total Variation Diminishing(TVD)was used to distinguish the main impact factors,their relative contributions,and the hydrodynamic mechanisms underlying the different beach responses.Results show that compared to the ML beach,the main reason for the relatively weak erosion on Xiangluwan(XL)beach was the smaller beach berm height(accounting for approximately 75.9%of the erosion response).Regarding the beach with a higher berm,the stronger wave-induced undertow flow,along with the higher sediment concentration,led to a higher offshore sediment transport flux,resulting in more severe erosion relative to the beach with a smaller berm height.The second most important reason explaining the weak erosion on XL beach was the absence of seawalls(accounting for approximately 17.9%of the erosion response).Wave reflection induced by the seawall could cause higher suspended sediment concentration,resulting in a toe scouring near the seawall.The offshore submerged breakwater protected XL beach slightly(accounting for approximately 6.1%of the erosion response).Due to the higher water level induced by storm surge,most of the wave energy could penetrate through the submerged breakwater.The effect of the larger berm width of XL beach was negligible.Compared to the beach with a larger berm width,the erosion/deposition regions in the beach with a narrower berm width showed shoreward migration,without significant changes in the erosion/deposition extent.Despite of this,the larger berm width could reduce the wave energy reaching the shoreline.This study of the storm stability of artificial beaches may be applied to beach restoration design.

Sediment source-to-sink process variations of sandy-muddy transitional beaches and their morphological indications

The clay mineralogy of 28 sandy-muddy transitional beach(SMT-Beach)sediments and surrounding mountain river sediments along the coasts of southeastern China was systematically investigated to reveal the sediment source-to-sink process variations of such beaches and their morphological indications.The results show that the clay mineral assemblages of these SMT-Beaches mainly comprise of almost equal illite(~30%),kaolinite(~28%),chlorite(~22%),and smectite(~20%)contents.From the surrounding mountain rivers to the SMT-Beaches,clay mineral assemblages show distinct spatial changes characterized by a large decrease(~40%)in kaolinite,whereas the other three clay minerals present relative increases,especially clear for smectite.The muddy sediment sources of SMT-Beaches inferred from the clay mineralogy are mainly derived from nearby mountain rivers coupled with long-distance transport and penetration of the Changjiang River.The sandy sediments of these beaches are predominantly sourced from nearby mountain rivers,the weathering products of surrounding rocks in both mainland and island environments,and erosion of the“Old Red Sand”and“Red Soil Platform”.However,the sandy sediment sources of the SMT-Beaches are largely reduced because of the remarkable decrease in the river fluvial supply associated with intensive human activities such as dam construction and coastal reclamation.Subsequently,the sandy sections of SMT-Beaches present clear erosion and have revealed by both time series remote sensing images and a compilation of published literature.In contrast,the muddy sediment supply of SMT-Beaches is temporarily stable and relatively constant,resulting in the landward migration of the mudflats with relative transgression or accumulation.These findings highlight that the natural evolution processes of SMT-Beaches have been greatly reshaped by intensive human activities.

Investigation of fecal coliform and typical enteric virus in representative beaches of China

Through investigating ten recreational marine beaches in China, we aimed to detect the occurrence of human enteric viruses in coastal bathing beaches and find a correlationship, if any, between the presence of enteric viruses in surface seawater and the concentrations of fecal coliforms, the conventional indicator of fecal pollution. In this study, twenty seawater samples were assayed for fecal coliforms and human pathogenic enteric viruses （hepatitis A viruses, rotaviruses, polioviruses） analysis. Enteric viruses were detected by RT-PCR, in 20 sample sites, 5%, 40%, 40% were positive for the presence of human hepatitis A viruses, rotaviruses, polioviruses, respectively. Seven of 20 sites are suffering from severe fecal contamination, based on traditional plate counts of fecal coliform outnumbering the established thresholds for recreation. Additionally, statistical analysis presented that no correlation was found between bacterial indicators and viruses in surface seawaters. The data confirmed that indicator bacteria in water are not reflective of the presence of enteric viruses in marine waters. Thus, current recreational water quality standards of both bacterial and viral indices should be reevaluated.

The Sediment and Hydrographic Characteristics of Three Horseshoe Crab Nursery Beaches in Hong Kong

Horseshoe crab juveniles have been recorded from sand and sandy-mud nursery beaches at Pak Nai (western New Territories), San Tau and Shui Hau (Lantau Island), Hong Kong. In order to provide a better understanding of these beaches and to identify those plausible factors which have made them preferred by spawning horseshoe crabs, environmental parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen content of the water, and particle size distribution and organic matter content of the sediments at the three sites, were determined and compared. The hydrographic and sediment data obtained for the three study sites have revealed some common environmental features. The three nursery beaches are relatively remote, and far (in Hong Kong terms) from urbanized and densely populated areas. The beaches are generally well sheltered from strong wave action and inundated regularly by estuarine waters. Horseshoe crab adults tend to select these beaches for spawning as their protected features ensures the laid eggs are less likely to be washed out of the sand, and hatched juveniles can feed on the meiofauna and grow. Sediments of the three beaches largely comprise medium-sized sand particles and are moderately sorted, suggesting medium porosity and good water permeability. Such a sand type, with the generally high oxygen levels in incursing waters, may help create a well-oxygenated micro-environment for the normal development of horseshoe crab eggs, larvae and juveniles. Lantau Island beaches at San Tau and Shui Hau are relatively free from organic pollution, as reflected in generally high dissolved oxygen level, and low BOD 5 and ammonia nitrogen values. Pak Nai is, however, more polluted.

Meiofauna Distribution in Intertidal Sandy Beaches Along China Shoreline(18?–40?N)

In this study,the distribution pattern of meiofauna from nine sandy beaches at six latitudinal gradients along Chinese coast between 18 and 40?N was studied on their meiofauna abundance to examine the effect of latitudinal gradients.In general,meiofauna abundance was lower in four subtropical beaches in Xiamen(24?N) and Zhoushan(29?N) than that in other beaches.Meiofauna abundance differed little between tropical and temperate beaches.The taxonomic structure of meiofauna showed a dominance of nematode in colder area.The relative composition of turbellarians and polychaetes increased in warmer area.In addition to latitudinal gradient,salinity,oxygenation,sediment grain size affect also the meiofauna latitudinal distribution.As for horizontal distribution,the highest meiofauna abundance was found in low tidal zone at tropical beaches,and in middle tidal zone at temperate beaches.The horizontal distribution of meiofauna was controlled by both physical and biotic factors including feeding and anthropogenic activities.Although meiofauna abundance exhibited a horizontal difference,the composition of meiofaunal main taxa was unanimous horizontally at all beaches at the same sampling latitude.

A geomorphological response of beaches to Typhoon Meari in the eastern Shandong Peninsula in China

Eight representative beach profiles on the eastern coast of the Shandong Peninsula are observed and measured in 2011 and 2012 to determine the coastal processes under the lower tropical wind speed condition and the beach response to and recovery from the tropical storm Meari in a rare typhoon region. The results show that it is the enhancement and directional change of cross-shore and longshore sediment transports caused by Meari that leads to the beach morphological changes, and most of the sediment transports occur during the pre-Meari landing phase. The erosional scarp formation and the berm or beach face erosion are the main geomorphological responses of the beaches to the storm. The storm characteristics are more important than the beach shapes in the storm response process of the beaches on Shandong Peninsula. The typhoon is a fortuitous strong dynamic event, and the effect on the dissipative beach is more obvious than it is on the reflective beach in the study region. Furthermore, the beach trend is the main factor that controlls the storm effect intensity, and it is also closely related to the recovery of the beach profiles.

Morphodynamics of sandy beaches under the influence of storm sequences:Current research status and future needs

This paper reviews and discusses the current research status, trends, and future needs in the field of beach morphodynamics under the influence of storm sequences.The paper reviews how the three main research methods, field investigations, numerical modelling, and physical modelling, have been used to study beach morphodynamics during storm sequences.Available quantitative definitions of storm sequences at different sites are presented and discussed.It is shown that the definition of storm sequences is site-specific and requires knowledge of the storm climate, beach characteristics, and the temporal scale of beach recovery.Subsequently, the paper brings together currently available approaches aimed at describing the effect of storm sequences on beach erosion in a general way.The importance of storm chronology and the effects of an extreme storm within a sequence of storms are highlighted.Following that, the more poorly studied aspect of beach recovery in between storms within a sequence is discussed.Three indicators for defining beach recovery, namely the shoreline location, sediment volumes, and the beach state, are identified and compared.Finally, important research needs, including the need for detailed physical modelling, are identified.

Impact of Brunswick River Mouth Training Walls on Adjacent Beaches,Brunswick Heads,New South Wales,Australia

River training walls have been built at scores of locations along the NSW coast and their impacts on shoreline change are still not fully understood. In this study, the Brunswick River entrance and adjacent beaches are selected for examination of the impact of the construction of major training walls. Thirteen sets of aerial photographs taken between 1947 and 1994 are used in a GIS approach to accurately determine the shoreline position, beach contours and sand volumes, and their changes in both time and space, and then to assess the contribution of both the structures and natural hydrodynamic conditions to large scale (years-decades and kilometres) beach changes. The impact of the training walls can be divided into four stages: natural conditions prior to their construction (pre 1959), major downdrift erosion and updrift accretion during and following the construction of the walls in 1959～1962 and 1966, diminishing impact of the walls between 1966 and 1987, and finally no apparent impact between 1987～1994. The impact extends horizontally about 8 km updrift and 17 km downdrift, and temporally up to 25 years.

Application of Headland Control for Stability of Beaches

Studies on the erosion processes and protective measures at the downcoast of the Friendship Port in Mauritania have been successfully conducted by means of 3-D movable-bed model using light model-sand. The headland control was accepted for the stability of the beach. This paper mainly deals with the shape, orientation, size and erosion depth of the artificial headland. Various forms of headland projects, such as the normal groin, arch groins bending to upcoast ancj to downcoast, offshore breakwater, and T-shaped dike, have been experimentally investigated. Through a comparison of effects of these works on the beach processes, optimized headlands have been obtained, that is, unsymmetrical T-shaped dike or arch groin bending to the downcoast, which has been practically and successfully applied for the stability of beaches.

Shoreline Identification Bias:Theoretical and Measured Value for Meso-Tidal Beaches in Kuala Nerus,Terengganu(Malaysia)

Shoreline change analysis frequently begins with feature identification through visual interpretation(proxy-based shoreline)or the intersection of a specific tidal zone(datum-based shoreline).Using proxy-based shoreline information,this study quantifies the distance between proxy-based and datum-based shoreline data,which is defined as the proxydatum bias.The study was conducted at meso-tidal beaches in Kuala Nerus,Terengganu,Malaysia,with morphodynamic responses to northeast and southwest monsoons.The high-water line(HWL)shoreline(proxy-based)was determined using ortho-rectified aerial images captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV).By contrast,the mean high-water(MHW)shoreline(datum-based)was determined using measured beach profiles adjusted with the Peninsular Malaysia Geodetic Vertical Datum(DTGSM).The theoretical proxy-datum bias was approximated using the best estimate(median)for the beach slope,wave height,and wave period from the estimated total water level(TWL)model.Based on the study,the recorded horizontal proxy-datum bias for the research area was up to 32 m.This study also discovered that the theoretical assumption of the proxy-datum bias based on the TWL model yields values comparable to those of the measurements,with a narrower distinction in bias for steeper beach slopes than the obtained results.The determined proxydatum bias value can benefit future shoreline change studies as it could be incorporated to either proxy-based shorelines by shifting the shoreline seaward or to datum-based shorelines by shifting the shoreline landward in order of the bias value.The seasonal monsoon’s effect on beach profiles should be considered when calculating bias values and conducting potential shoreline change rate studies.

Tsunami hazard and mitigation analysis for bathing beaches in China based on numerical simulations

Bathing beaches are usually the first to suffer disasters when tsunamis occur,owing to their proximity to the sea.Several large seismic fault zones are located off the coast of China.The impact of each tsunami scenario on Chinese bathing beaches is different.In this study,numerical models of the worst tsunami scenarios associated with seismic fault zones were considered to assess the tsunami hazard of bathing beaches in China.Numerical results show that tsunami waves from the Pacific Ocean could affect the East China Sea coast through gaps between the Ryukyu Islands.The Zhejiang and Shanghai coasts would be threatened by a tsunami from Ryukyu Trench,and the coasts of Hainan and Guangdong provinces would be threatened by a tsunami from the Manila Trench.The tsunami hazard associated with the Philippine Trench scenario needs particular attention.Owing to China’s offshore topography,the sequential order of tsunami arrival times to coastal provinces in several tsunami scenarios is almost the same.According to the tsunami hazard analysis results,Yalongwan Beach and eight other bathing beaches are at the highest hazard level.A high-resolution numerical calculation model was established to analyze the tsunami physical characteristics for the high-risk bathing beaches.To explore mitigating effects of a tsunami disaster,this study simulated tsunami propagation with the addition of seawalls.The experimental results show that the tsunami prevention seawalls constructed in an appropriate shallow water location have some effect on reducing tsunami hazard.Seawalls separated by a certain distance work even better.The analysis results can provide a scientific reference for subsequent preventive measures such as facility construction and evacuation.

A Numerical Model of Coastal Processes of Sand Beaches Based on Long-Term Wave Series

A numerical model of shoreline change of sand beaches based on long-term field wave data is proposed, the explicit and implicit finite difference forms of the model are described, and an application of the model is presented. Results of the application indicate that the model is sensitive to the order of the input wave data, and that the effects of long-term wave series and the effects of the mean annual wave conditions on the model are different. Instead of a single wave condition, the wave series will make the calibration and the verification of the model more practical and the results of the model more reasonable.

Short-Term Assessment of Retreating vs. Advancing Microtidal Beaches Based on the Backshore/Foreshore Length Ratio: Examples from the Basilicata Coasts (Southern Italy)

A straightforward conceptual method is proposed to quantitatively assess the seasonal-scale tendency of retreatment or advancement on microtidal beaches by using the backshore/foreshore length ratio. This method is based on measuring the cross-shore profile of a beach when it passes through the “transitional state” that separates the high-from the low-energy season, period during which the morphological characteristics of the beach tend to its equilibrium profile. In order to obtain real measurements of backshore (B) and foreshore (F), the definition of the limits bounding these two important components in subaerial beaches is reviewed and discussed. The approach based on the measurement of the?B/F?length ratio assumes that foreshore and backshore have equivalent lengths in beaches that approximate to their state of morphodynamic equilibrium (B/F?~ 1). A backshore length exceeding the foreshore length is indicative of a state of beach recession, with a?B/F?length ratio > 1. When the foreshore length is greater than the backshore length, the shoreline is advancing or, alternatively, it is developing in a state of morphological confinement,?i.e.?due to the presence of a sea cliff, with a?B/F?< 1. This practical method is then tested against 36 sand and gravel microtidal beach profiles measured along the coasts of Basilicata, in southern Italy. The various “beach states” are summarised into seven classes (I-VII), each identified from specific value intervals of the?B/F?length ratio.

Sports and Public Space: Volleyball Practice inCopacabana and Carcavelos/Cascais Beaches

The aim of this paper is to analyze volleyball practice in the beaches of Copacabana(Rio de Janeiro,Brazil)and Carcavelos and Cascais Bay(Cascais,Portugal)and to review the forms of appropriation of public space based on public policies and rules of the sport in question.Our methodology rests on bibliographic review and ethnographic research to map and distinguish the results in two spatial and cultural contexts that are considerably diverse.Results show that even with greater extension of Copacabana beach in comparison with Cascais,volleyball has a relevant impact in both areas.The installation of the necessary equipment for volleyball practice is also a form of impact in the landscape and establishment of territoriality,which is mainly activated when the game happens.

Georgia Black Sea Coast Protection with Free Beaches

In the paper, it is discussed reinforced coastal zones with resort-recreational functions, destructed in terms of anthropogenic pressure of the Black Sea, Georgia. Results of many years’ observations and researches prove low effectiveness of active methods of coastal protection, mostly causing and provoking intensive degradation of the beaches. Article highlights developing and constructing of free and unbounded beaches as an optimal coastal protection approach. Successful example of this approach was developing of coastal zone in 90s, in Gagra (West Georgia), Black Sea. Positive impact of this kind of artificial beach still survives. In the thesis, it is presented an attempt to scientifically prove extrapolation-traduction on the other similar coasts of the recovery of Gagra Zone beach. Based on morphodynamic analysis and comparison, according to the priorities of major features of reinforced coasts, it turned out that coast of three similar objects (Gagra, Ochamchire and Sokhumi) show homogenous aspects. Scientific expediency of providing extrapolation on other similar objects of etalon objects i.e. Gagra Beach recovered by successful coastal protection experiment. Thereby, for the purposes of creating free-artificial beach, choosing of wrecking zone of Ochamchire is based on coastal protection effectiveness and economical principals, including technical-economical effectiveness.

Modelling Natural Radioactivity in Sand Beaches of Guarapari,Espírito Santo State,Brazil

Using gamma-ray spectrometry, the activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 212Pb, 214Pb, 232Th, and 40K was determined in sand beaches samples from different areas in Guarapari, Espírito Santo state, from Brazil. The absorbed dose rates and annual effective dose were calculated and the results were compared with the internationally accepted values as well as others high background radiation areas (HBRAs). The activity concentration of the 232Th in Areia Preta as well as the absorbed dose rates and annual effective dose were higher than the others regions compared. The results show that Areia Preta in Guarapari has higher background found in beaches in world. This work is part of a research project for the natural background determination of the Brazilian coast.

Predicting beach profile evolution with group method data handling-type neural networks on beaches with seawalls

A major goal of coastal engineering is to develop models for the reliable prediction of short-and longterm near shore evolution.The most successful coastal models are numerical models,which allow flexibility in the choice of initial and boundary conditions.In the present study,evolutionary algorithms(EAs)are employed for multi-objective Pareto optimum design of group method data handling(GMDH)-type neural networks that have been used for bed evolution modeling in the surf zone for reflective beaches,based on the irregular wave experiments performed at the Hydraulic Laboratory of Imperial College(London,UK).The input parameters used for such modeling are significant wave height,wave period,wave action duration,reflection coefficient,distance from shoreline and sand size.In this way,EAs with an encoding scheme are presented for evolutionary design of the generalized GMDH-type neural networks,in which the connectivity configurations in such networks are not limited to adjacent layers.Also,multi-objective EAs with a diversity preserving mechanism are used for Pareto optimization of such GMDH-type neural networks.The most important objectives of GMDH-type neural networks that are considered in this study are training error(TE),prediction error(PE),and number of neurons(N).Different pairs of these objective functions are selected for two-objective optimization processes.Therefore,optimal Pareto fronts of such models are obtained in each case,which exhibit the trade-offs between the corresponding pair of the objectives and,thus,provide different non-dominated optimal choices of GMDH-type neural network model for beach profile evolution.The results showed that the present model has been successfully used to optimally prediction of beach profile evolution on beaches with seawalls.

Potential morphological responses of an artificial beach to a flood in extreme events: field observation and numerical modelling

Conch Island is a typical artificial island at the Tanghe Estuary in Bohai Sea,China.To improve natural environment and boost local tourism,beach nourishment will be applied to its north-western shore.The projected beach is landward and opposite to the Jinmeng Bay Beach.Nowadays,with climate changes,frequent heavy rainfalls in Hebei Province rise flood hazards at the Tanghe Estuary.Under this circumstance,potential influences on the projected beach of a flood are investigated for sustainable managements.A multi-coupled model is established and based on the data from field observations,where wave model,flow model and multifraction sediment transport model are included.In addition,the impacts on the projected beach of different components in extreme events are discussed,including the spring tides,storm winds,storm waves,and sediment inputs.The numerical results indicate the following result.(1)Artificial islands protect the coasts from erosion by obstructing landward waves,but rise the deposition risks along the target shore.(2)Flood brings massive sediment inputs and leads to scours at the estuary,but the currents with high sediment concentration contribute to the accretions along the target shore.(3)The projected beach mitigates flood actions and reduces the maximum mean sediment concentration along the target shore by 20%.(4)The storm winds restrict the flood and decrease the maximum mean sediment concentration by 21%.With the combined actions of storm winds and waves,the maximum value further declines by 38%.(5)A quadratic polynomial relationship between the deposition depths and the maximum sediment inputs with flood is established for estimations on the potential morphological changes after the flood process in extreme events.For the uncertainty of estuarine floods,continuous monitoring on local hydrodynamic variations and sediment characteristics at Tanghe Estuary is necessary.

Effects of shore-normal coastal structure on medium-to long-term embayed shoreline evolution

Based on high-tide shoreline data extracted from 87 Landsat satellite images from 1986 to 2019 as well as using the linear regression rate and performing a Mann-Kendall(M–K)trend test,this study analyzes the linear characteristics and nonlinear behavior of the medium-to long-term shoreline evolution of Jinghai Bay,eastern Guangdong Province.In particular,shoreline rotation caused by a shore-normal coastal structure is emphasized.The results show that the overall shoreline evolution over the past 30 years is characterized by erosion on the southwest beach,with an average erosion rate of 3.1 m/a,and significant accretion on the northeast beach,with an average accretion rate of 5.6 m/a.Results of the M–K trend test indicate that significant shoreline changes occurred in early 2006,which can be attributed to shore-normal engineering.Prior to that engineering construction,the shorelines are slightly eroded,where the average erosion rate is 0.7 m/a.However,after shore-normal engineering is performed,the shoreline is characterized by significant erosion(3.2 m/a)on the southwest beach and significant accretion(8.5 m/a)on the northeast beach,thus indicating that the shore-normal engineering at the updrift headland contributes to clockwise shoreline rotation.Further analysis shows that the clockwise shoreline rotation is promoted not only by longshore sediment transport processes from southwest to northeast,but also by cross-shore sediment transport processes.These findings are crucial for beach erosion risk management,coastal disaster zoning,regional sediment budget assessments,and further observations and predictions of beach morphodynamics.

Fungi Associated with Sand and Plants from Marine Coastlines: Potential Relevance for Human Health

The fungal community associated with beach sand and plants located along marine coasts are an under-studied area of research despite its potential relevance to human health. In this study, we isolated and identified the cultivable mycobiota associated with sand and plants collected along the coast of Gran Canaria (Spain) using culture-dependent and -independent methods. Clinically relevant species belonging to Cryptococcus spp. and related genera such as Naganishia and Papilotrema were isolated and identified from shoreline plants. Moreover, Candida tropicalis was isolated from beach sand, and Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus strains were associated with both types of samples (i.e., plants and beach sand). We conclude that beach sand and shoreline plants are potential reservoirs of fungi of high clinical interest. We recommend including beach sand and plants from the environment when assessing the quality of marine coastal systems. Our results open a framework for studying the natural marine environment and its role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases in order to more accurately manage public health.