Shoreline Dynamics And Preventive Measures At Southern Part Of Durresi Bay

Abstract

One of the most important aspects of coastal management and planning programs thatneeds to be investigated is shoreline dynamics. Long-term coastal analysis uses historical datato identify the sectors along the coast where the shoreline position has changed.At the southern part of Durresi Bay, the sandy beach has suffered strong erosions for thelast 20 years. In particular, in different segments situated at Karpen - Qerret lowland, duringthe last year the annual erosion rates reach values up to 30-37 m. The analysis of the coastal dynamics and spatiotemporal changes in the coastal morphology for the period between 1944and 2010 is an important tool to identify the principal factor of these changes and consequently to recommend the appropriate engineering interventions necessary to protectand recover the interested area.The present study takes advantage of geographical information system (GIS) tools tocontribute to the knowledge of the shoreline dynamics of the southern part of Durresi Bay.Shoreline changes were analyzed using the ArcGIS extension "Digital Shoreline AnalysisSystem" (DSAS). The length of the shoreline analyzed is about 3 km.Five shoreline position scorresponding to four time intervalswereanalyzed. These analyses are based on bathymetric studies, sediments and sediment transport analyses, and the mapping of the shoreline positionsfor the periods1944-1980, 1980-2007, 2007-2009and2009-2010.Annual rates of erosion, grain size distribution and the alongsh