The General Characteristic of the Black Sea Coasts

Shuisky, Yuri D.; ,

The General Characteristic of the Black Sea Coasts

by Yuri D. Shuisky, Univ of Odessa, Odessa, Ukraine,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastlines of the Black Sea

Abstract:

The total length of the Black Sea coast is 4431 km. These shores have been developing in various natural conditions formed through the entire history of this basin. So, the coasts may be plain or mountainous, may be affected by waves of various height, may consist of rocks and deposits of varying strength and composition. These coasts are affected by rivers, abrasion, and chemical and biological factors. These coasts are all subject to anthropogenic impact. General transformation of the coast is quite possible during the next decades due to the sea level rise and because of green house effect. The Black Sea coasts belong to 6 states: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Rumania. However, natural borders do not coincide with administrative ones. Coast geology and history, relief, climate, oceanography and sediment balance in the coastal zone are discussed.

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