Erosion problems in Alexandroupolis coastline,North-Eastern Greece |
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| Authors: | G S Xeidakis P Delimani S Skias |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Civil Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece |
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| Abstract: | This paper deals with the coastal erosion processes and the related problems around the city of Alexandroupolis, NE Aegean
Sea, N. Greece. The area is very fast developing, as the city is an important port and a summer resort center in SE Balkans,
and will become soon a transportation and energy center, as well. The coastline under study exhibits an east–west orientation
and has a length of more than 50 km. The spatial distribution and the characteristics of the changes in the shoreline were
studied by comparing old and new air photographs and topographic maps, as well as through repeated series of field observations
and local measurements regarding the erosion process. From these studies it was concluded that the greater stretch of the
western part of the coast, under consideration, is of moderate to high relief, with a considerable participation of coastal
cliffs. It consists of conglomerates of varying granulometry and consistency and is under moderate to severe erosion process.
The erosion phenomena in the western part of the coast may be attributed, primarily, to strong S, SW winds, blowing in the
area and to trapping of sediments by Alexandroupolis’ port breakwaters; the port stops or/and diverts the sediments to the
open sea; and to the east to west longshore sea current, prevailing in the area. The eastern stretch of the coast is a plain
area, formed by sandy–silty sediments; being a part of the river Evros’ Delta, it is under deposition and accretes seawards.
The majority of the coasts under consideration are classified as coasts of high wave energy potential. Hard structures, as
shore protection measures, have been constructed in some places, but they were proved, in rather short time-period, ineffective
and suffered extensive failures. Thus, it is argued that for a long-term cost-effective tackling of the various erosion problems
on any stretch, priority must be given to soft engineering measures; although, certain hard measures, carefully selected and
locally implemented, can contribute to forming a rational combination of protection/mitigation measures. Besides, the development
pressures in the coastal zone have to be confronted, in a sustainable way, through new integrated coast management regulations. |
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| Keywords: | Coastal erosion Classification of coasts North Greece Aegean Sea currents Evros River Delta |
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