Land-loss, saltwater intrusion, and contamination in "Protected Coastal Systems"
Abstract
Mangroves on the pacific coast of Panama are under regular stress due to natural and anthropogenic factors. Cyclic climate changes that include high precipitation events, temperature variations, and increased water levels can modify mangrove coverage and its foliage coloring. Mangrove mortality and foliage changes were observed in the Ramsar Site of Panama Bay in 2015 and 2016. This mortality was supposedly related to hydric stress but was not confirmed due to the lack of long-term measurements of hydrographic variables. The water treatment plant dumps its water after treatment at a rate of 190,000 m3/day following a water quality criterion from the 2000s. Even though the Ramsar Site of Panama Bay is protected by law, its mangrove forest has been under anthropogenic stresses. West of Panama Bay are the remains of Punta Chame mangroves. Coastline erosion in Punta Chame has increased over the last decades mainly due to the reduced mangrove coverage and the underwater sand extraction activities. Recent research initiatives are focused on these two sites and are focused on the coastal processes of estuarine saltwater intrusion and erosion due to sediment transport. Both projects are aligned with the Sustainable Development goals of 2030 of Life below water and gender equality. Results from both projects are useful insights into coastal processes that need to be included in the future "Políticas de los Océanos" in Panama.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022AGUFMEP15C1103G