Geomorphology of the Lekki Barrier-Lagoon Coastline in Nigeria and its Vulnerability to Rising Sea Level

by L. F. Awosika, Nigerian Inst for Oceanography and, Marine Research, Lagos, Nigeria,
A. C. Ibe, Nigerian Inst for Oceanography and, Marine Research, Lagos, Nigeria,
C. E. Ibe, Nigerian Inst for Oceanography and, Marine Research, Lagos, Nigeria,
L. E. Inegbedion, Nigerian Inst for Oceanography and, Marine Research, Lagos, Nigeria,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '91

Abstract:

The Lekki barrier-lagoon coast stretches from Lagos (approx. long. 3?25'00E) to Ajumo town (approx. long. 4? 26'00E) a distance over 75km around 6?.25'00N parallel. It forms the eastermost fringe of a chain of barrier-lagoon complexes stretching from Cote d'Ivoire to the north-western flank of the Niger delta in Nigeria. The low lying beaches (maximum elevation at 3m) consist of medium to coarse sand and are backed by the Lagos and Lekki lagoons. Offshore it is bordered by a narrow continental shelf averaging 25km in width. The shelf is incised by a large canyon (Avon canyon) with the head only some km from coastline. Recent growth in urbanisation and coastal tourism in the absence of sound planning and management policies has resulted in high rates of erosion (reaching 30m/year in places), frequent flooding and large scale environmental degradation. The expected increase in eustatic sea level rise will exacerbate the already existing ecological and socio-economic problems

Subject Headings: Sea level | Shores | Lagoons | Geomorphology | Erosion | Developing countries | Ecosystems | Africa | Nigeria | Niger

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