Relative water level change in the intracoastal zone of Belgium and Northern France over the last 2500 years

LOlJWYE, Stepiien; Dcclercq, Erwin

doi:10.1111/j.1502-3885.1998.tb00876.x

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…Jelgersma 1979; Roep and Beets 1988; Van de Plassche and Roep 1989;Denys and Baeteman 1995;De Groot et al 1996;Louwye and Declerq 1998;Edwards 2001;Behre 2003Behre , 2007Van de Plassche et al 2005;Bungenstock 2006; Mauz and Bungenstock 2007;Bungenstock and Schäfer 2009), most of them showing a smooth continuous rising trend. The sea-level curve for the German North Sea coast published by Behre in 2003 and2007 implies high precision and shows several fluctuations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The high-resolution Holocene sea-level curve for Northwest Germany: global signals, local effects or data-artefacts?

Bungenstock

Weerts

2009

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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A few years ago, a new relative sea-level curve for northwest Germany was constructed for the entire German North Sea coast. It is characterised by several suspected sea-level fluctuations. To test this curve for local effects, it was broken down into five relative sea-level curves representative for five coastal sections. The relative sea-level curves were corrected for tidal effects and also, a rough first correction for compaction was applied. The five curves all differ from the original curve and from each other. Most of the suspected sea-level fluctuations in the original curve cannot be supported and are discussed as data-artefacts or local effects. Around AD 800-1000 all curves show stagnation or drop of sea-level. Thus, this signal is discussed as of over-regional stratigraphic meaning. This study is a first step (1) to show that several curves are needed to demonstrate the Holocene sea-level history of such a big area as the entire German North Sea coast and (2) to establish reliable relative sea-level curves for the German North Sea coast. Further research is necessary to apply detailed corrections especially with respect to compaction-prone data and to improve the individual curves.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The high-resolution Holocene sea-level curve for Northwest Germany: global signals, local effects or data-artefacts?

Bungenstock

Weerts

2009

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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“…They found two marked regressions: (i) between 7500 and 7000 calibrated years BP and (ii) around 5500 to 5000 calibrated years BP. In an attempt to investigate sea-level rise in the very recent past (the last 2500 years), LOUWYE and DECLERCQ (1998) focused their attention on indicators such as height of tidal levees, height of mature salt marshes, and height of upper tidal flat deposits. Their results indicate a slow rise of spring high water levels from the 17th century to the present day.…”

Section: Sea-level Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Implications of Sea-Level Rise for Belgium

Lebbe¹,

Meir²,

Viaene

2008

Journal of Coastal Research

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The Belgian coastal plain and the Schelde estuary are threatened by sea-level rise. While of great economic importance with a threatened population of some 0.8 million (of a total population of 10 million), assessments of these risks are limited. This article describes the physical characteristics of the coast and undertakes a qualitative interpretation of its vulnerability. Low-lying polders are the most vulnerable to sea-level rise where a major problem is water drainage during rainy periods; their varying vulnerability to sea-level rise and increase in rain intensity is assessed, including the relationship between drainage levels and saltwater seepage. Freshwater lenses developed within the dunes are also vulnerable to sea-level rise, leading to threats to drinking water supplies from saltwater intrusion. Belgian coastal defence structures and their effectiveness are discussed. Historical sea-level rise during the past century, wave and wind data, and the evolution of erosion and accretion along the coast are interpreted. For Antwerpen, a harbour city on the river Schelde, the effects of sea-level rise are far from clear. Included here are historical data on changes in tidal amplitude during the 20th century. Future research needs should focus on the quantitative interpretation of data to understand the effect of sea-level rise on beach erosion, flood risk, and fresh and salt groundwater distribution. Furthermore, a thorough socio-economic study should be undertaken to assess the vulnerability of the Belgian coast and the Schelde estuary. ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS: Belgian coastal plain, saltwater intrusion, gravitational and artificial water drainage, coastal defences. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BELGIAN COASTAL PLAIN Geographical Position and Economic RelevanceThe Belgian coastline is on the southern North Sea and comprises an open wave-exposed coast and the more sheltered upper reaches of the Schelde estuary. The wave-exposed coast (65-km long) has a nearly continuous dune belt that protects the hinterland. This dune barrier consists of two arcs, one stretching from Dunkerque (France) to Wenduine and a second arc from Wenduine to Breskens (The Netherlands). Its continuity is interrupted by the estuaries of the river IJzer in the west and het Zwin in the east and the harbours of Oostende, Blankenberge, and Zeebrugge. The total coastal zone population is ca. 0.4 million (i.e., ca. 4% of the Belgian population), which is concentrated in the towns of Brugge, Oostende, Blankenberge, Veurne, Nieuwpoort, and Knokke (Figure 1).During summer holidays the population increases by ca. 0.3 million resident tourists and on peak days by 0.25 million

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Changes in coastal zone processes at a high sea‐level stand: a late Holocene example from Belgium

Baeteman¹,

Scott

Strydonck

2002

J Quaternary Science

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This paper presents the results of an investigation of late Holocene deposits on the Belgian coastal plain. The upper clastic deposits overlying the uppermost intercalated peat bed were studied on the basis of lithology, radiocarbon dates and foraminiferal assemblages to determine why silting-up phases or peat beds are lacking, and to establish the evolution of the sedimentary environments as well as the age of the deposits. Two contrasting sites, in quite different locations and showing a different stratigraphy, were studied. It appears that the coastal evolution was not gradual and continuous, but characterised by short periods with high-energy conditions alternating with long periods where low-energy conditions and little sedimentation prevailed. The evolution is determined mainly by tidal channel activity. At about 3400 cal. yr BP, the peat was eroded in narrow zones by the main tidal channels and this until the landward limit of the plain.The peat was only partly flooded and mudflats fringed the channels. With time, new tributaries formed and the channel network progressively enlarged. The channels were rapidly filled, followed by a period of little sedimentation, which lasted at least until 1400-1200 cal. yr BP. The following channel activity is characterised by lateral sedimentation, rather than vertical erosion, together with increased sediment reworking. The mechanisms of coastal change in the late Holocene might be similar over the entire plain, but the timing of the changes is certainly not.

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Relative water level change in the intracoastal zone of Belgium and Northern France over the last 2500 years

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

The high-resolution Holocene sea-level curve for Northwest Germany: global signals, local effects or data-artefacts?

The high-resolution Holocene sea-level curve for Northwest Germany: global signals, local effects or data-artefacts?

Potential Implications of Sea-Level Rise for Belgium

Changes in coastal zone processes at a high sea‐level stand: a late Holocene example from Belgium

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