The evaluating coastal zone Physical vulnerability, Sefidrood River Delta

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Coastal physical vulnerability studies were first conducted by Gornitz in 1991 on the west coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and have since been studied extensively in other parts of the world. In this article, determining the severity of physical vulnerability of Sefidrood delta coast, identifying coastal landforms and how they deform over time are the main objectives of the research. Methods: By using the results of field monitoring, interpreting the results of remote sensing studies and digital changes of coastlines in the GIS environment, and by studying the effective criteria in the physical vulnerability of coasts such as: coast slope, type of coastal sediments, type of coastal landforms, rates Coastal line changes, physical vulnerability of Sefidrood delta coast were calculated. Findings: In The results show that the degree of physical vulnerability of Sefidrood delta coast varies in different regions. Areas leading to the western and eastern estuaries of Sefidrud River have the highest physical vulnerability and with increasing distance from the estuary to the west and east, the degree of physical vulnerability gradually decreases. Erosive coastal landforms in the area adjacent to the Sefidrood estuary have been formed as erosive terraces and sand spits have formed in the western and eastern extremities of the Sefidrud delta. Conclusion: The Sefidrood delta is affected by the erosive forces of the Caspian Sea, and the high volume of sedimentation of sandy materials produced by the Sefidrood River under the influence of coastal currents has the ability to create sedimentary landforms such as sand spits in coastal area. Achieving a physical vulnerability map of the White River Delta provides the conditions for making the right decisions in the integrated coastal zone management, and this method can be used for other coastal areas .