276
Generally, it describes the procedure performed to properly understand the relation between modifications of coastal processes and the response of a coastal environment. It uses numerical and theoretical models to assess the behavior of the
waterfront, considering the historical changes that have occurred to ultimately predict variations of the spit as consequence of the establishment of new civil works.
Finally, it concludes with this method of analysis that the evaluated study case will
be affected by the works of action to be developed for facilitating the navigability
conditions of a new port currently under construction in the city of Barranquilla,
Colombia.
Keywords Ciénaga de Mallorquín • Coastal wetland • Coastal erosion •
Morphological changes • Port • SANDY
®
• Wave climate
9.1 Introduction
A coastal lagoon is a body of water that is separated from the ocean by a coastal bar,
barrier island or any coastal formation, as a coastal spit. It is nurtured by fresh water
from the continental part; and seawater from the marine border (Kjerfve 1986). The
coastal lagoons can be connected to other bodies of water through natural channels,
or in some cases through artificially built channels.
Wetlands are areas located underwater during different seasons; have hydrophilic
vegetation; and are regulated by hydrologic regime and by influence of marine zone,
in particular by the tide rise. Within the classification of coastal wetlands it can be
found: (a) swamp; (b) estuary; (c) coastal lagoons; and (d) mire. They have an
important role in the hydrologic equilibrium and the regulation of the planet climate. They are diverse systems that harbour a large number of ecosystems (Buenfil
2009).
According to the Ramsar Convention (1999), a coastal wetland contains the
extensions of marshlands, swamp and mire; surfaces covered by water in natural or
artificial regimen, with permanent or transitory flow, stagnant or with continuous
flow; freshwater, saltwater. Besides, it includes maritime extensions where the minimum tide level (low tide) that do not exceed 6 m of depth.
From the hydrological perspective, coastal wetlands can be classified into:
Marines. Coastal wetlands and lagoons, including coral reefs.
Estuarines. deltas, tidal marsh, and mangroves.
Lacustrine. Wetlands associated to large continentals.
Riverine: Wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams.
Palustrine: Swamp and Lagoon.
According to Mitsch and Gosselink (1993), the identification of coastal wetlands
is regulated by three criteria: (a) it must be a covered water surface; (b) it has
G.D. Rivillas-Ospina et al.
Generally, it describes the procedure performed to properly understand the relation between modifications of coastal processes and the response of a coastal environment. It uses numerical and theoretical models to assess the behavior of the
waterfront, considering the historical changes that have occurred to ultimately predict variations of the spit as consequence of the establishment of new civil works.
Finally, it concludes with this method of analysis that the evaluated study case will
be affected by the works of action to be developed for facilitating the navigability
conditions of a new port currently under construction in the city of Barranquilla,
Colombia.
Keywords Ciénaga de Mallorquín • Coastal wetland • Coastal erosion •
Morphological changes • Port • SANDY
®
• Wave climate
9.1 Introduction
A coastal lagoon is a body of water that is separated from the ocean by a coastal bar,
barrier island or any coastal formation, as a coastal spit. It is nurtured by fresh water
from the continental part; and seawater from the marine border (Kjerfve 1986). The
coastal lagoons can be connected to other bodies of water through natural channels,
or in some cases through artificially built channels.
Wetlands are areas located underwater during different seasons; have hydrophilic
vegetation; and are regulated by hydrologic regime and by influence of marine zone,
in particular by the tide rise. Within the classification of coastal wetlands it can be
found: (a) swamp; (b) estuary; (c) coastal lagoons; and (d) mire. They have an
important role in the hydrologic equilibrium and the regulation of the planet climate. They are diverse systems that harbour a large number of ecosystems (Buenfil
2009).
According to the Ramsar Convention (1999), a coastal wetland contains the
extensions of marshlands, swamp and mire; surfaces covered by water in natural or
artificial regimen, with permanent or transitory flow, stagnant or with continuous
flow; freshwater, saltwater. Besides, it includes maritime extensions where the minimum tide level (low tide) that do not exceed 6 m of depth.
From the hydrological perspective, coastal wetlands can be classified into:
Marines. Coastal wetlands and lagoons, including coral reefs.
Estuarines. deltas, tidal marsh, and mangroves.
Lacustrine. Wetlands associated to large continentals.
Riverine: Wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams.
Palustrine: Swamp and Lagoon.
According to Mitsch and Gosselink (1993), the identification of coastal wetlands
is regulated by three criteria: (a) it must be a covered water surface; (b) it has
G.D. Rivillas-Ospina et al.