Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural Processes
The coastal zone is a fascinating place that comprises the interface between sea and land. This interface, which is both very dynamic and sensitive, has been affected by strong urban and industrial pressures, and an increase in both traffic and recreational uses, leading to the deterioration of natu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/11/2113 |
| _version_ | 1797458803002703872 |
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| author | José Simão Antunes Do Carmo |
| author_facet | José Simão Antunes Do Carmo |
| author_sort | José Simão Antunes Do Carmo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The coastal zone is a fascinating place that comprises the interface between sea and land. This interface, which is both very dynamic and sensitive, has been affected by strong urban and industrial pressures, and an increase in both traffic and recreational uses, leading to the deterioration of natural habitats and the growing instability of residential areas. Added to this disruption is ongoing climate change, which will lead to rising sea levels and increased wave action. Another problem we are increasingly concerned about is ocean pollution, which has been one of the main causes of threats to deep-water coral reef areas. The main sources of pollution include oil spills and offshore oil drilling. The effects of pollution caused by oil spills can not only seriously affect the global environmental balance of our planet but can also, on a different scale, seriously affect the economy of countries whose main resources depend heavily on the sea. Wave energy has the potential to alleviate the world's dependence on depleting fossil energy resources. With regard to coastal protection, the development of ecological solutions to preserve ecosystems and address coastal processes as an alternative to traditional coastal protection structures (seawalls, groins and breakwaters) is becoming increasingly important. These structures, generally referred to as passive measures, are usually built to alter the effects of sea waves, currents and the movement of sand along the coastline, with the aim of protecting beaches, ports and harbors. The concerns outlined are critically addressed throughout this review article. All of them are highly relevant today and, as demonstrated throughout this article, are expected to grow even more and with much more pronounced consequences starting from the middle of the current century. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:42:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c02d81d425f54753a7900cbb6ef5a4e2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:42:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-c02d81d425f54753a7900cbb6ef5a4e22023-11-24T14:50:28ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122023-11-011111211310.3390/jmse11112113Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural ProcessesJosé Simão Antunes Do Carmo0Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Polo II, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, PortugalThe coastal zone is a fascinating place that comprises the interface between sea and land. This interface, which is both very dynamic and sensitive, has been affected by strong urban and industrial pressures, and an increase in both traffic and recreational uses, leading to the deterioration of natural habitats and the growing instability of residential areas. Added to this disruption is ongoing climate change, which will lead to rising sea levels and increased wave action. Another problem we are increasingly concerned about is ocean pollution, which has been one of the main causes of threats to deep-water coral reef areas. The main sources of pollution include oil spills and offshore oil drilling. The effects of pollution caused by oil spills can not only seriously affect the global environmental balance of our planet but can also, on a different scale, seriously affect the economy of countries whose main resources depend heavily on the sea. Wave energy has the potential to alleviate the world's dependence on depleting fossil energy resources. With regard to coastal protection, the development of ecological solutions to preserve ecosystems and address coastal processes as an alternative to traditional coastal protection structures (seawalls, groins and breakwaters) is becoming increasingly important. These structures, generally referred to as passive measures, are usually built to alter the effects of sea waves, currents and the movement of sand along the coastline, with the aim of protecting beaches, ports and harbors. The concerns outlined are critically addressed throughout this review article. All of them are highly relevant today and, as demonstrated throughout this article, are expected to grow even more and with much more pronounced consequences starting from the middle of the current century.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/11/2113climate changerising sea levelocean pollutioncoastal protectionadaptation measuresecofriendly solutions |
| spellingShingle | José Simão Antunes Do Carmo Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural Processes Journal of Marine Science and Engineering climate change rising sea level ocean pollution coastal protection adaptation measures ecofriendly solutions |
| title | Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural Processes |
| title_full | Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural Processes |
| title_fullStr | Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural Processes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural Processes |
| title_short | Living on the Coast in Harmony with Natural Processes |
| title_sort | living on the coast in harmony with natural processes |
| topic | climate change rising sea level ocean pollution coastal protection adaptation measures ecofriendly solutions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/11/2113 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT josesimaoantunesdocarmo livingonthecoastinharmonywithnaturalprocesses |