STARDUST II - Spatial and Temporal Assessment
of high Resolution Depth profiles Using novel Sampling Technologies The fate of pollutants in fluvial and marine sediments in cross-border zones
The Belgian coast is protected for 50% by hard constructions including slanting seawalls and groins. Most of them were built after the extremely severe 1453 storm. The other 50% of the coast consist of dune-belts and beaches. More than a century ago a groin field was implanted in front of the dune barrier protecting the coastal plain. But both nature and man's activities encroached on this natural defense and by the forties several east coast resorts mere left without a beach at high water. Hard structures did not provide adequate protection, they even seemed to worsen problems, and yet, some new techniques like the use of the HARO were welcome innovations. The extension of Zeebrugge harbour provided an opportunity to consider artificial nourishment using the dredgings. The approach provided some satisfaction but recharges were necessary. Meanwhile the west coast started to show signs of erasion. Various beach protection and restoration methods were tested but discarded for a variety of reasons. Then nourishment with a feeder berm was decided upon for the De Haan sector and has yielded excellent results. The paper, while focusing on Belgian approaches, reviews alternative approaches such as artificial reefs and dewatering, but also methods that call upon Nature to rebuild beaches, among which Berosin and Beachbuilder.
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STARDUST II is a project funded by the INTERREG III A programme (France/Walloon Region/Flanders
French-Flemish subprogramme) of the European Community's Regional Development Fund.
Hosted by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
