Coastal Dynamics of the Curonian Spit within the Russian Part of the Southeastern Baltic

The coastal dynamics of the Curonian Spit, a large accretive landform with its eroded root, is discussed. For this area, the new data on the coastal development for the last 100 years were obtained; the characteristic of current coastal state was given; mathematical simulation of the coastal processes for assessment of the sediment deficit in the near shore zone was made. Evanescence of the sediment deficit phenomenon in the area under study is demonstrated.

Here, even during rather short periods of the deficit increase, the development of wave-induced destructive processes is observed; therefore three major ways to mitigate the risk of coastal erosion (i.e. the construction of impenetrable or penetrable groins, a detached breakwater and an artificial beach) are considered, including the peculiarities of the spit shores development as a result of coastal protection activities.

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