Erosion on the beach has deteriorated
Since the construction of port and jetties, natural erosive phenomenon has worsened. In addition, the gradual change in the direction of the waves by the displacement of the cyclone-and sea-level rise is to worsen the picture. A palliative, although expensive, would be to dredge the harbor mouth to reconstitute the natural flow of sand.
The beach erosion marplatensesSi Mar del Plata well enjoy it from its status as a major seaside resort, this matrix is being challenged tourist from erosion phenomenon affecting beaches. Today, this problem not only of concern to its residents and tourists each year, which have less surface area of the beach-but, as if it were a domino effect, the consequences have become visible in other seaside resorts located to the north.
To understand more about the erosion in this area, Thelma contacted the doctor in geology Jorge Codignotto, a researcher at the University of Buenos Aires and CONICET. Going back to the origins of the problem, Codignotto explained that “in Mar del Plata there is a marine drift current that leads north sandy material. When in 1914 it became the south jetty of the port, the circuit is interrupted. And then the coast just north of the south breakwater of the contribution was devoid of sand. It was a mild coastal erosion, but it was magnified. “
“Between 1918 and 1919-continued the researcher became the north jetty and a few years later, he formed a beach south of the first breakwater which accumulated material. Exactly, that was the sand that would not reach the beaches located to the north. And so all the costs began to erode. “
In an attempt to halt the erosion process, between 1922 and ’80, were built several jetties. That is a cross-shore structures, aimed at trapping sand that migrated from the south, but that did not meet their missions. According to the geologist, “derived sand along the south jetty and there was deposited exactly where material should not be placed.” And besides, “all the sand that were caught with the breakwaters, sand was not reached the northern beaches, which accentuated the erosion.”
Each of the works held in Mar del Plata in order to trap sand, in fact, what it did was delay circuit that material. So, years later, erosion began to threaten other locations, such as Mar Chiquita and Villa Gesell.
Another important point for the misuse of the coast has to do with the removal of sand from the beaches. “All the buildings, pavements, houses, apartments, which are high in the coastal area between Punta Rasa and Villa Gesell were made with sand that was removed from the beach. And that was a factor in increased erosion, “said the geologist.
The process of global warming makes things worse. “Of course it raises the sea level, said Codignotto-but more worrying is the change in the position of the anticyclones. These generate winds that produce waves, which-in turn-taking different directions. So, begin to generate changes in coastal dynamics. In this way, “between climate change and the misuse of the coastal system, significantly increased the effects of erosion,” concluded the researcher.
With respect to measures that can be taken to stop erosion, compared Codignotto port of Mar del Plata in Santa Monica, located on the west coast of the United States. “They had the same problem and have resolved many years ago by a dredging in the harbor’s mouth and throwing the dredged material downstream drift phenomenon. And this is a measure that is done after every storm, allowing the system level. ” It’s like “a bypass system, which takes the sand from the mouth of the harbor after storm phenomena, then pass it to the other side. Maintenance work is continuous, but with which, perhaps, have prevented the construction of breakwaters, “said the researcher.
The beach erosion marplatenses Why not take such measures in Mar del Plata? Basically, because it has a very high cost. Back in 2000, “became a dredging in the harbor’s mouth and placed the sand on a beach very wide, but very little hard because it came that destroyed a sudestada” recalled Codignotto.
Another measure used in the Mar del Plata coast, although in reality it is a palliative, is the castled. “It is especially used in the path from Mar del Plata in Mar Chiquita in some sectors, is very close to collapse due to erosion. Because they are very soft rock cliffs, which is done is put rocks at the foot of the cliff to protect it from direct blow of the waves. But this serves only for a while, “he said.