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Shoreline Evolution and Environmental Changes at the NW Area of the Gulf of Gela (Sicily, Italy)

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Borzì

    (Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia, 57, 95129 Catania, Italy)

  • Giorgio Anfuso

    (Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Polígono del Río San Pedro s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain)

  • Giorgio Manno

    (Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Salvatore Distefano

    (Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia, 57, 95129 Catania, Italy)

  • Salvatore Urso

    (Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia, 57, 95129 Catania, Italy)

  • Domenico Chiarella

    (Clastic Sedimentology Investigation (CSI), Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK)

  • Agata Di Stefano

    (Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia, 57, 95129 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Coastal areas are among the most biologically productive, dynamic and valued ecosystems on Earth. They are subject to changes that greatly vary in scale, time and duration and to additional pressures resulting from anthropogenic activities. The aim of this work was to investigate the shoreline evolution and the main environmental changes of the coastal stretch between the towns of Licata and Gela (in the Gulf of Gela, Sicily, Italy). The methodology used in this work included the analysis of: (i) shoreline changes over the long- and medium-term periods (1955–2019 and 1989–2019, respectively), (ii) dune system fragmentation and (iii) the impact of coastal structures (harbours and breakwaters) on coastal evolution. The shoreline change analysis mainly showed a negative trend both over the long- and medium-term periods, with a maximum retreat of 3.87 m/year detected over the medium-term period down-drift of the Licata harbour. However, a few kilometres eastward from the harbour, significant accretion was registered where a set of breakwaters was emplaced. The Shoreline Change Envelope (SCE) showed that the main depositional phenomena occurred during the decade between 1955 and 1966, whereas progressive and constant erosion was observed between 1966 and 1989 in response to the increasing coastal armouring.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Borzì & Giorgio Anfuso & Giorgio Manno & Salvatore Distefano & Salvatore Urso & Domenico Chiarella & Agata Di Stefano, 2021. "Shoreline Evolution and Environmental Changes at the NW Area of the Gulf of Gela (Sicily, Italy)," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:10:p:1034-:d:649001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosa Molina & Giorgio Anfuso & Giorgio Manno & F. Javier Gracia Prieto, 2019. "The Mediterranean Coast of Andalusia (Spain): Medium-Term Evolution and Impacts of Coastal Structures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-24, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Weiwei Xie & Qingmin Meng, 2023. "An Integrated PCA–AHP Method to Assess Urban Social Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise Risks in Tampa, Florida," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    2. Zhihong Liao & Kai Su & Xuebing Jiang & Xiangbei Zhou & Zhu Yu & Zhongchao Chen & Changwen Wei & Yiming Zhang & Luying Wang, 2022. "Ecosystem and Driving Force Evaluation of Northeast Forest Belt," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-25, August.

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