Abstract: The influence of human uses, especially the urbanization and economic activities in the coastal zone have transformed the coastal erosion from a natural phenomenon into a growing problem. The paper aims to analyze and present se\!eral important aspects of the influence of the anthropic factors on the coastal erosion along the Romanian Black Sea coast, attempting to answer the following question: what is the framework of development that the coastal zone of the Black Sea could access in order to diminish as far as possible the coastal erosion?
Key words: erosion, coastal zone, anthropic factors, impact, development, Black Sea.
INTRODUCTION
Coastal zones are complex, dynamic enviromnents, with a fragile equilibrium, where water and land interact, but which also accumulate high anthropogenic pressures. [1]
The coastal erosion can be defined as the removal of material from the coast due to wave action, tidal currents and/or human activities, usually causing the landward retreat of the coastline.
Understanding the coastal erosion requires an introspection on all natural and anthropic factors that interact along the shoreline. This process becomes a problem when the human uses are not compatible with the dynamic coastline.
2. SUBJECT OF THE ANALYSIS
The paper has as a starting point the materials written in the last years about the issue of the Romanian coastal zone, aiming to show the influence it lias on coastal erosion due to anthropogenic pressures on the development of the southern Romanian Black Sea coastline.
The method used in this article was to review existing studies, reports and documents, namely: Master Plan "Coastal Protection and Rehabilitation", The diagnostic report of the coastal Zone and Report on Environmental Impact elaborated by Halcrow Romania, Study on Protection and Rehabilitation of the Southern Romanian Black Sea Shore elaborated by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) & ECOH Corp, National State of the Environment Report 2012 elaborated by Ministry of Enviromnent and Climate Change, The National Enviromnental Protection Agency, The Spatial Plan Area - The Black Sea coastal zone elaborated by National Institute for Research and Development in Constructions, Urbanism and Sustainable Spatial Development URBAN-INCERC - URBANPROIECT Branch. [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]
3. THE COASTAL ZONE OF ROMANIA
The length of the Romanian coastline is approximately 240 kilometers and it is divided into two main sectors: north and south. The northern zone lias a length of about 164 km, it is characterized by sandy beaches, low altitudes and slightly steep submarine slopes and it stretches from the Gulf Musura to Cape Midia, including the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and the Razim-Sinoe lagoon complex. The southern part, with a length of about 80 km stretches between Cape Midia and Vaina Veche, it is covered predominantly with calcareous sea walls of various heights (between 3-3 5m), short areas of sandy beaches at the mouths of rivers and near the ports (Midia, Constanta, Mangalia) and with steeper submarine slopes than in the north.
In the last decades, the Romanian coast of the Black Sea has undergone pennanent erosion which, in addition to the action of natural factors, also faces the action of anthropogenic factors. There are areas that recently have experienced an erosion rate of 2m/year and projections indicate a balance of up to 70m eroded over the next 20 years in these areas, which is an increasing threat to the Romanian coastal zone. [9]
The coastal erosion has as consequence the appearance of crash and landslides that jeopardize the life of the inhabitants as well as the tourists, the stability of the constructions located at the top of the sea walls, thus hindering the socioeconomic development of the entire coastal zone.
3.1 The southern coastline of Romanian Black Sea
Romanian shoreline lias experienced significant changes in the type of landscape, especially due to human activities carried out along the unit's southern coast of the Black Sea, but also as a result of activities arising from hydrotechnical works carried out on the Danube.
According to expert studies performed on the coastal zone of the Black Sea, on the Midia - Vaina Veche sector, in the right of localities Mamaia, Tomis, Eforie Costincsti. Olimp, Venus, Saturn and Mangalia 2 Mai - Vania Veche the erosion phenomenon of beaches and sea walls was pointed out, tins problem is a serious one for Romania.
Tliis part of the Romanian coastal zone is one of national importance taking into account the economic, social and touristic value that the beachfront resorts have.
On the other hand, the European Union is concerned about the strategic importance of the Black Sea region as well as the role and the importance of coastal zones in the European economy from the perspective of sustainable development. Its documents emphasize the importance of integrated coastal zone management which represents "a permanent process designed to improve the economic and social situation of coastal zones and to ensure the sustainable development of all activities in the respective regions". [12]
These considerations and the evolution of the coastal erosion of the Romanian coastline have led to the development of the strategic document Master Plan "Coastal Protection and Rehabilitation" whose the general objectives are:
* to protect and improve the enviromnental status and living standards of the local communities along Romanian coast of the Black Sea and
* to enhance safety in southern area of the coast, severely threatened by the destructive effects of the coastal erosion. [6]
The Master Plan sets the strategic vision for the management of the entire Romanian coast and provides a prioritized, sustainable, long-tenn oriented approach to manage and combat the erosion consequences and its implications on the enviromnent, marine ecosystems, economic and social values of the coastal zone. [6]
Through tins document technical solutions of coastal engineering are proposed to protect and rehabilitate the coastline, that consist of new constructions to dissipate the wave energy that affect shoreline, constructions for beaches nourishment and constructions for shoreline protection and beach sand retention.
3.2 The anthropic factors that act on the Romanian coastal zone
In the National State of the Environment Report 2012, in the subsection "Marine and coastal
enviromnent" they identify the major anthropogenic pressures on the Romanian coastline, with significant impact on the enviromnent which come from the deployment of developing socio-economic activities such as:
* tourism and recreation;
* agriculture and food industry;
* ports and shipping;
* ship building;
* extension and modernization of existing tourism ports;
* buildings/neighborhoods of holiday houses in tourist areas;
* the petrochemical industry, refineries;
* the mining industry: ore, sand of the shallow coastal areas;
* the nuclear power industry;
* the manufacturing industry;
* airport and airfreight;
* the military and defense activities (on land-sea firings, high frequency antenna installation, etc.). [10]
The Romanian coastal and seaside area is subjected to the pressure of anthropogenic factors with a major impact on coastal and marine ecosystems due to port activities, shipping, coimnercial fishing, major urban areas and resorts, tourism and sports, industrial areas and so on, so that complex interventions of coastal engineering have been conducted along the Romanian coast to protect the shore and increase the port of Constanta. [4]
Every human action in the coastal zone lias the potential to produce both positive and adverse reactions.
An example is represented by the coastal hydrotechnical constructions. The positive impact is the safety and quality life of the inhabitants by restoring beaches and protective structures which are located near housing and socio-economic objectives. The negative consequences identified are changes in the shoreline morphology and the bottom slope, changes in the stmcture of the substrate, increasing organic substance content in water and sediment, increasing turbidity and so on.
Another human activity is the major economic importance of tourism. The positive effect of this is that it produces economic growth through services offered to the tourists (accommodation, meals, entertainment, recreation, etc.). The negative impact comes from the coverage of beaches area with various constmctions and the vertical extension of constmctions (beach terraces, additional floors atop of the existing, other temporary constmctions for tourist), the uncontrolled development of tourism, recreation and leisure areas, over capacity, doubling the population during summer, etc.
Another significant anthropic factor is the urban expansion. The southern part is characterized by a high level of urbanization (Constanta city). Civil constmctions have been developed (residential ensembles, neighborhoods of holiday houses, expanding old historical buildings) as well as constmctions of various purposes (commercial, administrative, social, cultural, industrial) with the development of related infrastructure in tourist areas.
The port activity, the expansion and modernization of the existing tourist ports, maritime transport (including leisure), commercial fishing exert anthropic pressure with an impact on the Black Sea biodiversity.
Through an inventory of some influences of the human action that favors the coastal erosion along the Romanian Black Sea coast, it can be concluded that careful management and sustainable development are required.
4. THE IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTHERN ROMANIAN COASTLINE
The development is considered as a change that brings a number of benefits. In the last decades the development has been regarded from the perspective of sustainable development which is "a model of structural economic and social transformations that optimize economic and social benefits available until now, without jeopardizing the likely potential for similar benefits in the future". [2]
The development of the Romanian coastal zone should be seen in terms of sustainability which has three traditional pillars - economic, social and environmental. [3] Therefore, economic and social welfare of the coastal zone depends heavily on conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
4.1 What is the environmental impact?
The influence of the anthropic factors on the coastal erosion along the Romanian coastline of the Black Sea can generate the following environmental issues:
* the degradation of the living conditions for all categories of organisms, vegetable and animal;
* the pollution of water/air;
* increased noise level;
* increased traffic due to the large number of vehicles;
* increasing the amount of waste, of domestic wastewater that requires treatment, etc.
According to studies and reports on this matter, it was discovered that the environmental pressures are significant, leading to severe degradation and decline in quality of the Romanian coastal zone, along with large- scale exploitation of natural resources.
4.2 What is the social impact?
The intervention of human activities on the coastal zones can lead to the following undesirable results:
* demographic population agglomeration during the summer season;
* the loss of land, housing and other buildings with different destinations, so the public welfare is affected;
* some people may suffer from depression or other stress-related diseases, etc.
Adoption of examples of good practice and compliance with legislative regulations will allow reducing the social impact on local communities through:
* the protection of infrastructure for communities and business environment;
* increasing the number of protected constmctions;
* the creation of jobs;
* improving the health and safety of the population, of the community in general.
Due to its social and economic importance the coastal zone imposes protective measures and management in order to ensure its sustainable development.
5. CONCLUSION
In the European Union the main instrument for promoting integrated coastal zone management is the 2002/413/EC Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe. Chapter I of this recommendation stresses the importance of a strategic approach of coastal management, based in part on recognizing threats posed by climate change, by the risks of rising sea levels and by the increased frequency and violence of storms, adopting appropriate measures to protect human settlements in the coastal area and cultural heritage, as well as improving the coordination of actions taken by authorities in the interaction area of the sea shore. [12]
Starting from the desired goal that "the coastal zones are the strategic importance for all Europeans" [13] the European Union provides financial support through programs and projects in order to contribute to strengthening the social and economic sustainable development of the Black Sea.
An adequate response to the question which is the framework of development that can access the coastal zone of the Black Sea to lessen as far as possible the coastal erosion is a sustainable and strategic approach to manage and diminish the risks for the Romanian coastline.
In this respect, a first accomplishment is developing the Master Plan "Coastal Protection and Rehabilitation" a fundamental strategic document to access financing from European funds necessary for rehabilitation works of the coast. At the moment the European Commission has approved funding for a project worth over 170 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund for the rehabilitation of the Romanian coastline.
On the other hand, for a sustainable development of the coastal zone of the Romanian Black Sea southern coastline is needed:
* making investments that will contribute to increase population safety and protection of the natural environment but also to the economic value of the Romanian littoral;
* stopping damage produced by the tourism sector through "achievement of a balance in the development of tourist facilities and the capacity of the natural and human environment, not to cause degradation and rapid depletion of tourism resources[5]
* adequate involvement of local stakeholders (public administration, economic sector, civil society) in the formulation and implementation of solutions to coastal problems;
* support of local initiatives by the central public administration in terms of sustainable management of coastal zones;
* a concern for social issues related to the principles of integrated coastal zone management.
An appropriate solution to the aspects presented, to support sustainable development, could be the implementation of public and private projects with funding non-refundable to improve the current situation of the coastal zone in Romania. [4]
In conclusion, the problem of developing the Romanian Black Sea coastal zone is a complex and sensitive problem, therefore it is necessary to take into account the interactions between economic environmental and social factors.
REFERENCES
[1] Charlier, R.H., De Meyer, C.P. (1998). Coastal erosion: response and management. Vol. 70. Springer Verlag, ISBN 3-540-60022-1, Heidelberg- Berlin-New York.
[2] Goodland, R., Ledec, G. (1987). Neoclassical economics and principles of sustainable development, Ecological Modelling, vol.38, No.l, pp. 19-46, ISSN 0304-3800.
[3] Petri sor. A.-I. (2014). The territorial competitiveness of sustainability cannot be assessed by a single domain. Urbanism. Architecture. Constructions, Bucharest, Romania, vol.5, No.4, pp.27-34, ISSN p:2069-0509, e:2069-6469.
[4] Stan, M. I., (2013). European and International Legal Regulation of Environmental Impact Assessment in the coastal area of Romania. Juridical Current Journal, Petra Maior University of Targu Mures, Romania, vol.2, No.53, pp. 111-118, ISSN p:1224- 9173, e:2247-8361.
[5] Stan, M.I., Jenea, D., Vintilä, D. (2014). Developing a strategy for sustainable tourism. Case Study: Constanta Metropolitan Area. Urbanism. Architecture. Constructions, Bucharest, Romania, vol.5, No.3, pp.5-16, ISSN p:2069-0509, e:2069- 6469.
[6] Halcrow Romania SRL (2012). Master Plan "Protectia §i reabilitarea zonei costiere", available at: http://www.rowater.ro/dadobrogea Accessed: 2013- 03-31.
[7] Halcrow Romania SRL (2011). Raport diagnostic al zonei costiere, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro Accessed: 2013-03-31.
[8] Halcrow Romania SRL (2012). Raportul privind Impactul asupra Mediului, available at: http://www.rowater.ro/dadobrogea Accessed: 2014- 03-18.
[9] Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) & ECOH Corp (2012). Studiul privind protectia si reabilitarea litoralului sudic al României la Marea Neagrä, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro Accessed: 2014-07-09.
[10] Ministerul Mediului si Schimbärilor Climatice, Agenda National;! pentm Protectia Mediului, (2013). Raportul national privind starea mediului pentru anul 2012, available at: http://www.anpm.ro Accessed: 2014-07-07.
[11] Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare in Constmctii, Urbanism si Dezvoltare Teritorialä Durabilä "URBAN-INCERC" - Sucursala URBANPROIECT (2012). Plan de Amenajare a Teritoriului Zonal - Zona Costierä a Märii Negre, available at: http://www.mdrap.ro Accessed: 2014- 06-14.
[12] Recommendation 2002/413/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2002 concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe (OJ L 148, 6.6.2002).
[13] Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Integrated Coastal Zone Management: a Strategy for Europe (COM/2000/547 final), available at: http://www.eumonitor.eu Accessed: 2014-07-07.
Author(s):
PhD Eng. Mari-Isabella STAN, Associate teacher, ''Ovidius" University of Constanta, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, E-mail: stanisabella@yahoo.com, tel. 0040722692585.
You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer
Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from. Hide full disclaimer
Copyright Societatea Romana de Grafica Inginereasca (SORGING) Sep 2014