Biodegradation effects over different types of coastal rocks |
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| Authors: | Murat Gül Ahmet Özbek Fahri Karayakar Mehmet Ali Kurt |
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| Institution: | (1) Engineering Faculty, Department of Geological Engineering, Mugla University, Kotekli, 48000, Mugla, Turkey;(2) Engineering-Architecture Faculty, Department of Geological Engineering, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Avsar, 46100, Kahramanmaras, Turkey;(3) Faculty of Aquaculture, Yenişehir Campus, Mersin University, 33169 Mersin, Turkey;(4) Engineering Faculty, Department of Geological Engineering, Mersin University, Ciftlikkoy, 33324, Mersin, Turkey |
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| Abstract: | Modern coastal areas have natural and transported rocks (armourstone) on which various types of organisms live. Burrowing,
boring and feeding by these organisms can destroy or modify the coastal rocks and hence change the coastal morphology. Two
rock types and three dominant types of organisms have been studied in Mersin Bay, Eastern Mediterranean of southern Turkey.
In this study area, Plio-Quaternary conglomerates and variously aged limestone armourplates have been affected by Phoronida
worms, bivalve Brachidontes pharaonis (Fischer P. 1870) and the limpet Patella sp. Phoronida colonies were found covering the hard substratum as a mat and form tubular endolithes of 35.0 mm depth and
1.5 mm diameter, whilst Brachidontes pharaonis (Fischer P. 1870) form 44 mm deep vase-shaped gastrochaenolites. The bioerosive activity of Limpet Patella sp., found intertidal and within the spray zone, cannot be significantly observed on the rocks over short time periods. The
soft sandy matrix of the conglomerates present were found to disintegrate by bioerosional processes, with the released gravels
being transported and deposited onto the beach. Within the armourstone limestone blocks, a maximum of 44.0 mm deep holes developed
after 50–60 years. However, these biological activities do not threaten the stability of the blocks due to their hard and
homogeneous internal structure. Furthermore, the organism colonies that cover these rocks as a strong mat (maximum 29.0 mm)
act to protect their surfaces from further biological attack and wave action. |
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| Keywords: | Bioerosion Brachidontes pharaonis (Fischer P 1870) Phoronida worms Limestone Conglomerates Armourstone Mediterranean coast |
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