Physical-geographical analysis of the modern assimilation of sandy barriers of the Black Sea limanic coasts, Ukraine
Authors:   Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University, Odesa, Ukraine, Shuisky Yuriy D. , Vykhovanetz Galina V. ,   Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University, Odesa, Ukraine, Murkalov Aleksandr B. ,   Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University, Odesa, Ukraine, Gyzhko Liliya V. ,   Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University, Odesa, Ukraine
Published: December 2023

This article presents the findings of many years of instrumental studies of the Burnas Estuary’s sandbar in the northern part of the Black Sea coast. It offers an analysis of instrumental data gathered by studying the sandbar at the Burnas Estuary within the limits of traditional estuary type of the Black Sea coast. Special attention was devoted to the impact from the anthropogenic factor on the sandbar’s morphology and dynamic. Back in the late 20th century, this sandbar was 9 km long, up to 150 m wide, and up to 3.5 m tall. It consists of natural subsystems of seashore beach, coastal dunes and limanic terrace, which closely interact with each other. A unique coastal genetic system was formed as a result of this interaction, which cannot be found anywhere else in Ukraine besides the classic limanic coast. The relief it contains is moving, the underlying surface is unconsolidated and loose, the soil layer is almost nonexistent, and its flora and fauna are of a peculiar kind. At least once every 2–3 years the system experiences quick degradation and slow recovery under impact from the hydrogenic factor. It is distinctively different from all terrestrial landscapes, maintained by a special mechanism of lithodynamical exchange by shore sediment. An unprofessional, unjustifiable and harmful interference of the anthropogenic factor with this system of limanic sandbars on the Black Sea coast began some 2–3 decades ago. Many years of visual and instrumental research revealed gradual, slow degradation of all limanic sandbars on the Black Sea coast. One of the basic reasons is interception of sediment from the along-the-coast flow of sediment by natural and artificial centers of accumulation; the another reason is blocking of sedimentary sources in the coastal area, and still another reasons is direct removal of sandy matherial from sandbars and shore-beaches. Anthropogenic restructuring of sandbars, like the one researched at the Burnas Liman, leads to degradation of a the unique natural coastal system. The criterions of degradation is determined based on particular features, which include: a) horizontal and vertical deformation of relief, rendering it impossible for relief to recover by itself; b) the quantity and composition of sediment cannot be restored; c) the quantity, biomass and variety of vegetation and animal species cannot be restored; d) the soil formation process almost grinds to a halt; e) the regime and composition of underground water change; f) lithodynamical mechanism exchange on the surface of sandbar drastically changes; g) regular break of sandbars by storm waves becomes a typical occurrence. In the nearest 10–15 years, Ukraine may completely lose its unique natural system, sustain a fundamental loss of biodiversity, and break the European Landscape Convention in Florence by 1995.