Scientists of Marine Hydrophysical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences have published the results of a large-scale study revealing changes in the coastal zone of Koktebel Bay in Crimea over the past 100 years. The results of the work demonstrate a significant impact of human activity on this popular resort.
The study showed that over the past 100 years, anthropogenic impact has led to serious consequences for the coastal zone of Koktebel. It is expressed in a significant reduction or complete disappearance of beaches, changes in their material composition (disappearance of the famous pebbles from the Karadag rocks) and the replacement of natural landscape with anthropogenic one, which significantly reduced the aesthetic appeal of the coast.
Sciences Yuri N. Goryachkin, the paper author, Chief Researcher of the Shelf Hydrophysics Department of FSBSI FRC MHI, Doctor of Geography, identifies three key periods in the evolution of the coastal zone.
The first period (starting from the 1920s) is characterized by a gradual increase in anthropogenic impact on the land and the coastal area. Trass mining, a volcanic rock used to make a special type of cement, began right off the coast. Rocks not related to trass were dumped into the water and accumulated in the coastal zone. Pebbles were removed from the beaches in limited quantities for local needs.
In the second period (from the mid-20th century), most of the watercourses flowing into the bay (the main supplier of pebbles) were regulated, which sharply reduced their flow into the bay. Starting in 1954, industrial mining of sand and gravel mixtures began in the central part of the bay and from the beach and lasted for 10 years. As a result, the beaches began to shrink rapidly, and by the mid-1960s their width was only 5-10 m, which did not provide for the damping of wave energy. A strong storm in January 1967 washed away the remains of the beach and collapsed the retaining walls, and destroyed the embankment. Koktebel beach practically ceased to exist, and the buildings located behind the embankment were under threat of destruction.
The third period (from the last quarter of the 20th century to the present) is characterized by a sharp increase in anthropogenic impact, expressed in active construction on the beaches and the construction of hydraulic structures. Emergency and planned coastal protection measures, providing for partial restoration of the beaches by backfilling the near-shore zone with imported material, were carried out. A reserve backfill section, which was subsequently built up by private structures, was created. A number of objects were constructed unauthorized in the coastal zone, which again created an emergency situation.
Currently, the embankment of Koktebel Bay is being reconstructed and the 1850 m of beaches are being restored. The completion is scheduled for the end of 2024. Scientists from Moscow Hydrometeorological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences also participated in the preparation of the project.
As a result, today about 3 km of the Koktebel Bay coast have become man-made. Here, natural processes have transformed into natural-anthropogenic ones. Natural landscapes of the coast have been preserved only on 3.5 km out of the total length of the bay of 7 km.
The study confirms the negative impact of anthropogenic changes on the ecology of the region. Deterioration of the sea water quality, changes in the composition of bottom sediments and a detrimental effect on marine flora and fauna are noted.
"Our study demonstrates how ill-considered human intervention can radically change the coastal zone in a relatively short period. We are seeing how, over a century, the natural landscape has given way to an anthropogenic one, which has led to serious environmental consequences," comments Yu.N. Goryachkin, the author of the study, Doctor of Geographical Sciences.
The scientist emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to coastal zone management. In the context of private land ownership, the state should play a key role in regulating issues related to coastal strengthening and protection of the coastal zone of resort and recreational regions.
The author of the study recommends using modern effective methods and technologies to protect the coast that do not disturb the landscape appearance of the territory and the ecological state of coastal waters. He pays special attention to the need to take into account the experience of past years when developing new projects for the coast development.
"The tourist potential of Koktebel, and, consequently, the region's economy, directly depend on the ecological state of the coastal zone, the availability of comfortable beach resources and the attractiveness of the coast," notes Yuri Goryachkin.
This research is valuable for developing strategies for sustainable development of coastal zones not only in Crimea, but also in other regions with similar geographic and economic conditions. It confirms the importance of a balance between economic development and the preservation of natural ecosystems for the long-term well-being of coastal areas. As an example, the scientist cites the preparation of a project for the development of a coast section between Yevpatoria and Saki: "The presented preliminary drawings of the project simply frighten those who understand the processes taking place in the coastal zone. The implementation of such a project will inevitably lead to great trouble. It is sad that administrative bodies do not listen to the opinion of the scientific community."
The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment topic FNNN-2024-0016 "Study of the spatio-temporal variability of oceanographic processes in the coastal and shelf zones of the Black Sea under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors based on contact measurements and mathematical modeling".