Marine Science, Coastal Dynamics and Management

The aim of this research is focused on the application of a methodology to assess erosive processes in Colombian Caribbean coastal wetlands. The analyses of the coastal bar that separate the lagoon from the sea, as well as the diagnostic process that helps to characterize the effect of the coastal infrastructure in coastal zones in a short and medium scale, was done. Geomorphology, wave climate, hydrodynamic and evolution of the coastline topics was taking into account to understand “Mallorquín” coastal wetland equilibrium. The degradation level assessment shows that slightest changes in physics conditions produce adverse effects and system modifications. This work describes a procedure to understand the relationship between alterations of coastal processes and the response of a coastal environment against anthropogenic modifications due to navigation activities that exacerbate the coastal equilibrium losses. The procedure uses numerical and theoretical models to evaluate the behavior of the local hydrodynamic, considering the coastline evolution that has occurred, in order to establish a baseline to predict variations of the coastal bar as consequence of the establishment of Barranquilla port development. The results show that the coastal zone will be affected by the works to be developed for facilitating the navigability conditions of a new port in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia.