From Continental Shelf to Slope: Mapping the Oceanic Realm
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This volume covers multi-disciplinary Research and Development contributions from Europe, Asia and North America on geology, geophysics, bathymetric and biological aspects, towards data sampling, acquisition, data analysis and its results, and innovative ways of data access. It also presents the development of processes to map, harmonize and integrate marine data across EEZ boundaries, an impressive example of which is the European EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data network) initiative. EMODnet assembles scattered and partially hidden marine data into continentally harmonized geospatial data products for public benefit and increasingly within overseas collaboration. The volume also aims to shed light on an evaluation of biological and mineral resources and environmental assessments at continental shelf to slope depths. Western Pacific examples provide excellent case studies for this topic. Mapping of the Ocean Realm is not only for scientific purposes, but also for the people who live by the seas. Communication amongst scientists and multiple stakeholders is essential for living sustainably with the seas. In this volume we encourage dialogue amongst all the stakeholders.
Integrated geophysical and sedimentological datasets for assessment of offshore borrow areas: the CHIMERA project (western Portuguese Coast)
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Published:September 07, 2022
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CiteCitation
Mário Mil-Homens, Pedro Brito, Vitor Magalhães, Marcos Rosa, Marta Neres, Marta Silva, Emília Salgueiro, Teresa Drago, Ana Isabel Rodrigues, Miriam Tuaty Guerra, Maria José Gaudêncio, Eveline Almeida, Mariana Silva, Mafalda Freitas, Celso Aleixo Pinto, Cidália Bandarra, Pedro Terrinha, 2022. "Integrated geophysical and sedimentological datasets for assessment of offshore borrow areas: the CHIMERA project (western Portuguese Coast)", From Continental Shelf to Slope: Mapping the Oceanic Realm, K. Asch, H. Kitazato, H. Vallius
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Abstract
Coastal erosion impact on low-lying sandy shorelines represents a worldwide problem, which is particularly felt in various segments of the Portuguese coast where this geomorphological type represents 42% of its total length. Beach nourishment is a viable engineering alternative for shore protection and the assessment of offshore sources of beach-fill material is an essential aspect when implementing this mitigation strategy. The CHIMERA project carried out a multidisciplinary inspection on four segments of the west Portuguese coast to assess their potential as offshore borrow areas for beach nourishment. Altogether, these segments covered an area of c. 35 km2, at water depths between 20 and 42 m. They were surveyed using multibeam, sub-bottom profiler, ultra-high resolution multichannel seismics and a set of 126 surface samples and 72 vibrocores (with 3 m long each). To comply with the Portuguese legislation, sand types were assessed by granulometric and chemical analyses for evaluating the quality of sediments in terms of contamination. High-resolution magnetic surveys were conducted to find potential archaeological artefacts. The adopted methodology proved to be adequate to quantify and describe the spatial distribution of useful sediment volumes, supporting the ongoing Integrated Coastal Sediment Strategy for mainland Portugal.
- backscattering
- bathymetry
- beach nourishment
- calcium carbonate
- carbon
- clastic sediments
- coastal environment
- cores
- data processing
- density
- erosion
- Europe
- facies
- geomorphology
- geophysical methods
- grain size
- granulometry
- human activity
- Iberian Peninsula
- magnetic anomalies
- magnetic methods
- marine sediments
- mitigation
- multibeam methods
- ocean floors
- organic carbon
- organic compounds
- pollutants
- pollution
- Portugal
- protection
- sampling
- sand
- sedimentology
- sediments
- seismic methods
- seismic stratigraphy
- shorelines
- Southern Europe
- trace metals
- CHIMERA Project