Anthropogenic Activities Affecting Sediment Load Balance Along the West African Coastline

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,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastlines of Western Africa

Abstract:

The west African coastline stretches from Senegal in the west-to Cameroon in the east. This coastline had naturally over time received most of its sediments through the numerous rivers like the Gambia, Volta, the Niger and other smaller rivers that flow into the eastern Atlantic ocean bordering the West African coastline. In recent times however, anthropogenic activities both in the hinterland and along the coastline have disrupted the natural sediment load balance and transport dynamics along the coastline. Some of these anthropogenic activities include (1) Damming of rivers, (2) Construction of harbour protecting structures, (3) Dredging (4) Urbanization (5) Beach nourishment, and (6) Deforestation.

Subject Headings: Shores | Sediment transport | Sediment | Developing countries | Sediment loads | Load factors | Coastal protection structures | Africa | Atlantic Ocean | Senegal | Cameroon | Gambia | Niger

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search