Journal of Maps Morpho-Sedimentology of A
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
This article was downloaded by: [Universita Degli Studi di Cagliari] On: 17 June 2015, At: 02:04 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Journal of Maps Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tjom20 Morpho-sedimentology of a Mediterranean microtidal embayed wave dominated beach system and related inner shelf with Posidonia oceanica meadows: the SE Sardinian coast Sandro De Muroa, Angelo Ibbaa & Claudio Kalba a Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Coastal and Marine Geomorphology Group (CMGG), Cagliari University, Click for updates Cagliari, Italy Published online: 14 Jun 2015. To cite this article: Sandro De Muro, Angelo Ibba & Claudio Kalb (2015): Morpho-sedimentology of a Mediterranean microtidal embayed wave dominated beach system and related inner shelf with Posidonia oceanica meadows: the SE Sardinian coast, Journal of Maps, DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2015.1051599 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2015.1051599 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms- and-conditions Downloaded by [Universita Degli Studi di Cagliari] at 02:04 17 June 2015 Journal of Maps, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2015.1051599 SCIENCE Morpho-sedimentology of a Mediterranean microtidal embayed wave dominated beach system and related inner shelf with Posidonia oceanica meadows: the SE Sardinian coast ∗ Sandro De Muro, Angelo Ibba and Claudio Kalb Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Coastal and Marine Geomorphology Group (CMGG), Cagliari University, Cagliari, Italy (Received 7 August 2014; resubmitted 14 April 2015; accepted 12 May 2015) This article presents a morpho-sedimentological map of a Mediterranean embayed microtidal wave-dominated beach system and related inner shelf. The study area is located between Capo Boi and the Torre de su Fenugu sector, and focuses on Solanas beach in SE Sardinia. All of the collected data were processed to draw a main 1:7,000 scale map, which shows the general characteristics of the entire area, including its hydrodynamic, morphological, and sedimentological features (distribution of siliciclastic and biogenic/bioclastic sediments), rocky outcrops, beach rocks, and marine phanerogam meadow coverage (mainly Posidonia oceanica). Several secondary maps such as routes and paths, side-scan sonar photomosaic interpretations, and sedimentary facies have also been included. In addition to its scientific value, the map can be an important tool for beach management purposes. Keywords: morpho-sedimentology; embayed microtidal wave-dominated beach; Posidonia oceanica key role; management; South Sardinia; Mediterranean Sea 1. Introduction This work describes the morpho-sedimentological map of a microtidal embayed Mediterranean wave-dominated beach system (emerged and submerged beach) and related inner shelf. The study covers the area between Capo Boi and Torre de su Fenugu (Main Map), with particular attention paid to the hydrodynamic aspects and morpho-sedimentological layout of Solanas beach (Main Map). The main purpose of this study is to test integrated mapping (geomorphology, sedimentology, and morphodynamic) that also includes ecological elements. The study area and its adjacent inner shelf are located in the Gulf of Cagliari, which is in the Downloaded by [Universita Degli Studi di Cagliari] at 02:04 17 June 2015 centre of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Sardinia (Main Map), and have been studied by Cagliari University since the 1980s. De Muro and Kalb set up the first morphodynamic studies of the beach system of Solanas in 2001 (Kalb, 2002), and also carried out the first mapping of sedi- ments from the sea bottom (De Muro & Kalb, 2003). At a later stage (De Muro, Batzella, Kalb, & Pusceddu, 2008; Kalb, 2008), the studies were continued due to new research projects financed by the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna (Project ‘RIsposta e Adattamento dei sistemi costieri della ∗Corresponding author. Emails: [email protected], [email protected] # 2015 Claudio Kalb 2 S. De Muro et al. Sardegna alle variazioni climatiche globali’ RIAS and ‘Beach Environment, Management and Coastal Hazard’ BEACH – L.R. 7/2007 ‘Promozione della ricerca scientifica e dell’innovazione tecnologica in Sardegna’). In particular, in-depth research (De Falco et al., 2014) was conducted regarding the marine phanerogam meadow (De Falco, De Muro, Batzella, & Cucco, 2011; Simeone, De Muro, & De Falco, 2013) and its ‘factory’ role in the Mediterranean area (Lecca, De Muro, Cossellu, & Pau, 2005). The map was produced using a topographic–bathymetric, textural, and compositional data- base, and shows the general characteristics of the entire area, including morphologies; sedimen- tological features (distribution of siliciclastic and bioclastic sediments); the main rocky outcrops relating to the various lithologies of the basement; the most recent beach rock; and the marine phanerogam coverage, which is chiefly Posidonia oceanica (L) Delile meadow. The twofold role of the P. oceanica (L) Delile meadow is clear and fundamental, acting as: (1) a barrier for siliciclastic material from the emerged beach and (2) a producer of biogenic/bioclastic material (Batzella et al., 2011a, 2011b; De Falco, Molinaroli, Baroli, & Bellacicco, 2003; De Muro, Kalb, Ibba, Ferraro, & Ferrara, 2010; De Muro, Batzella, Kalb, De Falco, & Pusceddu, 2011; Pusceddu et al., 2011, 2012). Along with this database, other information is also available concerning the Solanas beach test (Main Map), in particular regarding the study of winds, waves, and currents (hydrodynamic scen- arios) relating to the geographical fetch and relative hydrodynamic response. The distribution of superficial sediments is also described, as are the forms taken by the main sedimentary bodies of the submerged beach (bar and trough) that are the result of the area’s hydro- dynamics (longshore and rip current). The legend is made up of 36 items, divided into 7 main sections. The first describes the forms and processes of the dry beach that are mainly characterized by a siliciclastic composition (dunes and back shore). Information includes areas affected by the depo- sition of the ‘seagrass berm’ (Banquette) according to De Falco et al. (2008) and Simeone, De Falco, Como, Olita, and De Muro (2008). The second section comprises first-illustrated forms and processes that affect the shoreface and inner shelf, whereas the hydrodynamic data conclude that the treatment of the elements is also linked to forms and processes. The hydrodynamic features were reconstructed using sedi- mentological and morphodynamic data (seasonally acquired), as well as information concerning winds, waves, and currents. The third section describes sediment features according to their environmental origin (silici- clastic or bioclastic) and texture. It also includes a description of the sedimentological character- istics of depression intermattes (coarse and very coarse bioclastic sediment). The fourth section describes the other characteristics of the sea bottom, such as the distri- Downloaded by [Universita Degli Studi di Cagliari] at 02:04 17 June 2015 bution of the phanerogam meadow, beach rocks, and other undifferentiated rocky outcrops. The last three sections are an aid to understanding the hydrographic, topographic, and bathy- metric features (river, contour lines, depth lines, main hydrography features, etc.), as well as the forms linked to human activity. 2. Study area 2.1. Geographical setting The study area is located in the central-southern sector of the Mediterranean Sea, in the south-east of Sardinia in the Gulf of Cagliari. The coastal area shown on the map extends for a total of 4 km and includes two beaches: Genna’e Mari and the main beach of Solanas (Main Map). The beaches extend for 520 and 950 m, respectively, and are developed on a NW–SE axis. Journal of Maps 3 The coast section analysed is mainly exposed to winds and waves (between 1508 and 2738, Figure 1(a)), and is protected by the Capo Boi headland to the south and the Torre de su Fenugu headland to the north. The section is affected by wave action, which is intense at times, with a modest net energy flow from