Ways to prevent or mitigate the impact of land development, waste disposal and construction of structure on control coastal processes
Coastal Zones and Impacts of Development
Definition of Coastal Zone
Areas of land influenced by the sea and adjacent seas influenced by land.
Boundaries are dynamic, varying with location and season due to ecological factors.
Major Impacts of Development in Coastal Areas
Habitat Destruction
Causes: Reclamation projects, mangrove conversion to fishponds, deforestation, industrial/urban expansion.
Effects: Waste reaching the sea, degrading coastal habitats.
Biodiversity Decline and Ecosystem Disruption
Example: Loss of mangroves reduces fish nursery habitats, lowering fisheries productivity.
Coastal and Marine Pollution
Causes: Chemical waste, sediments, nutrients from industries, housing, and resorts lacking sewage treatment.
Effects: Coral reef and seagrass degradation, risks to human health.
Key Findings by GESAMP (2018)
Coastal Ocean Problems:
Nutrient contamination.
Microbial contamination in seafood.
Plastic and other debris pollution.
High-concentration trace contaminants (e.g., lead, mercury).
Synthetic organic compounds in marine food chains.
Oil pollution impacts (tar balls, spills in sheltered areas).
The open ocean remains relatively clean compared to coastal areas.
Additional Environmental Concerns
Discharging untreated sewage into coastal waters causes:
Eutrophication (nutrient overloading).
Loss of submerged vegetation and coral reef degradation.
Shifts in plankton ecosystems.
Hypoxic (low oxygen) or anoxic (no oxygen) conditions.
Tourism is increasingly at risk due to coastal water degradation.
This highlights the urgent need for environmental reviews and sustainable management of coastal developments to mitigate ecological and health risks.