Unit Four Marie's Words

Marine and Coastal Processes.What are the hazards that usually occur along marine and coastal areas? Coastal processes, such as waves, tides, sea level changes, crustal movement, and storm surges will result to coastal erosion, submersion, and saltwater intrusion. Coastal Erosion. Coastal erosion is the wearing down of the coastlines by the movement of wind and water. It is not a constant process; instead, the rate of erosion depends on other events such as cyclones. When cyclones occur along coastal areas, the winds and waves carry the sediment away from the shoreline. Shorelines play an important role to society. They are used in transportation, fishing, and tourism. Therefore, preventing coastal erosion is of utmost priority. There are three main classifications of stabilizing the shoreline: hard stabilization, soft stabilization, and retreat. 1. Hard stabilization is done by building structures that will slow down the erosion on areas that are prone to erosion. Examples of hard stabilization structures are jetties, sea walls, and breakwaters. Though they may slow down the erosion in one area, it may hasten the erosion in other areas. 2. Soft stabilization includes the process of beach nourishment, wherein sand from an offshore location is brought to an area with a receding shoreline. It does not make use of structures like the ones used in hard stabilization. 3. Retreat is the option taken by residents near areas where coastal erosion is already severe. At this point, the authorities no longer attempt to save the shoreline but rather limit the amount of human interference in the area. Submersion. Coastal erosion happens because of the interaction of the winds and waves on the shoreline. Submersion, on the other hand, happens because of the changes in the sea level, specifically, when it rises dangerously above the normal level. This is all due to the increase in the global temperature, which, in turn, melts the glacial deposits and increases the overall sea level. Another factor that may cause submersion is the vertical movement of the plates. Landmasses can be uplifted, which can also cause changes in the sea level. It can also be caused by tsunamis and storm surges. Submersion will most likely occur in reclaimed lands. These are the areas that were originally part of oceans, riverbeds, or lakebeds. They are low-lying flatlands, so even a small rise in sea level can cause great damage on the land. To prevent this from happening not only in reclaimed lands but also in coastal areas, a hard stabilization technique is used. Sea walls are built along the coastline to protect the land from being easily flooded. Aside from sea walls, dikes can also help prevent flooding. The government can also upgrade the infrastructures built in coastal areas, regenerate mangroves, or relocate the people. There are also other proposed strategies to mitigate coastal submersion, such as imposing of setback policies and construction regulations and creating adaptive plans for coastal management. Saltwater Intrusion. In coastal areas where there is an interaction between saltwater and fresh water, saltwater intrusion is one of the hazards that are evident in that area. Saltwater intrusion is the movement of saltwater into the freshwater aquifer. The natural flow is that the fresh water, which is less dense, moves towards the denser saltwater. But if the fresh water is being withdrawn faster than it is being replenished, then there will be a change in pressure and saltwater intrusion will occur.There are a few ways of preventing saltwater intrusion. One is to stop using the well where fresh water has been depleted and let the groundwater replenish naturally via the water cycle. The other method is to build two wells: a pumping well-built farther inland and an injection well-built closer to the coast. Using the injection well, fresh water is pumped into the aquifer to prevent the saltwater from intruding. The different marine and coastal hazards often occur in the Philippines, being an archipelago with the longest coastline. Manila Bay is one of the coastal areas of the Philippines that is facing various threats from both natural and anthropological causes. Saltwater intrusion occurs due to uncontrolled withdrawal of groundwater to be used by residential, commercial, and industrial areas built around the bay. It is also frequently flooded due to poor drainage systems and improper disposal of waste. Since Manila Bay is shared by four coastal provinces, four noncoastal provinces, and the National Capital Region, each local government unit and national agencies need to collaborate in planning, developing, and managing its marine and coastal resources. And it is not only Manila Bay but other parts as well, for as long as they are in coastal areas, hazards will mostly likely occur if not immediately addressed.

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