PREVENTION & MITIGATION OF THE

IMPACT OF COASTAL PROCESSES,

LAND DEVELOPMENT & WASTE
DISPOSAL

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

 FOREWORD

Coastal area refers to the land and sea areas bordering the
shoreline. It comprises the natural boundary between the land and
ocean which may include beach, dunes, mangroves, estuary, delta, or
lagoon, among others. As an archipelago located in the tropics, the
Philippines is particularly susceptible to coastal hazards. These hazards
may include dangers of waves, tides, erosion, flood or submersion, and
saltwater intrusion.

This aims to give awareness to the learners on how the shoreline is

affected by coastal processes. It also includes steps on how to cope
up with those coastal hazards.

This also aims to develop the value of care and concern of the
natural resources for the future generation.

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

I. WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-TEST: Write your answer in your science notebook.

Directions: Encircle the words listed below. Words may appear

straight across, back-word straight across, up and down, and
diagonally.

COAST WORD SEARCH

D E S R D G R O Y N E S F G R T Y U O
E S B F G A A C X V B K A R D E S C S
P S R E S R O E O H D C S W E R T G F
O E T E A W I A I G U O U L P L K J M
S A Y R F C K N U H E R O S I O N K M
I D R D G S H R T J K N R H J K L L J
T H E S H C K R T L G E D I O A S T S
I A G N G V L D F S O G H J C E O P N
O S F M W E A T H E R T I P G A K N S
N D U O F N E O Q W R T S F G N N G W
G G T P T M R L M K J O P T I J M E A
F T W I G E I P N S E A W A L L N V S
D H D O D G Y F R T H R L J D S L C H
R E S R A E O E B A C K W A S H G S K
S R I J E F U A B C D G H J K K F X F
D F Q K V R N R T Y C V B N M F H A G
T Y V M E V A W E V I T C U R T S E D

erosion swash rocks

backwash destructive wave tide
Sea wall deposition coasts
hurricane ocean groynes
Longshore drift weather beach

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

Coastal processes - are naturally-occurring
processes that bring alterations to the coastal
zones. They are interactions of marine, physical,
meteorological, geological, and biological
events.

A. Coastal erosion
- (or shoreline retreat) is the loss of coastal landsdue
to the net removal of sediments or bedrock from
the shoreline.

- common phrase referring to the loss of subaerial

landmass into a sea or lake due to natural
processes such as waves, winds and tides, or
even due to human interference.

Coastal erosion can be either a:

• rapid-onset hazard (occurs very quickly, a

period of days to weeks)

• slow-onset hazard (occurring over many

years, or decades to centuries).

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

FIVE MAIN PROCESSES WHICH CAUSES COASTAL EROSION

1. Corrosion

- happens when waves pick up beach material

(e.g. pebbles) and hurl them at the base of a cliff.

- the scraping away of a rock by the action on it of

rock fragments moved by wind or water.

https://unsplash.com/photos/1HDyLnA3g8k

2. Abrasion occurs as breaking waves which contain

sand and larger fragments erode the shoreline or
headland. It is commonly known as the sand paper
effect.
https://unsplash.com/photos/1HDyLnA3g8k

3. When waves hit the base of a cliff air is

compressed into cracks. When the wave retreats the air
rushes out of the gap. Often this causes cliff material
to break away. This process is knownas hydraulic
action.
https:// u nsplash.com/photos/1HDyLnA3g8k

4. Attrition is when waves cause rocks and pebblesto

bump into each other and break up.

https:// u nsplash.com/photos/1HDyLnA3g8k

5. Corrosion/solution is when certain types of cliff

erode as a result of weak acids in the sea.

https://unsplash.com/photos/1HDyLnA3g8k

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

 COASTAL PROCESSES

B. Submersion is the sustainable cyclic portion of coastal erosion where

coastal sediments move from the visible portion of a beach to the submerged
nearshore region, and later return to the original visible portion of the beach. The
recovery portion of the sustainable cycle of sediment behavior is (accretion).

C. Saltwater intrusion is the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers,

which can lead to groundwater quality degradation, including drinking water
sources, and other consequences. Saltwater intrusion can naturally occur in
coastal aquifers, owing to the hydraulic connection between groundwater and
seawater. Because saline water has a higher mineral content than freshwater, it
is denser and has a higher water pressure. As a result, saltwater can push inland
beneath the freshwater.

https://link.springen.com
NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2
COASTAL PROTECTION
Some structures and methods can
help protect the coasts from erosion and
submersion. They are usually constructed
along the coasts.

• Seawalls and bulkheads are

structures that are built parallel to
shores that protect the coasts from
wave actions.

• Groynes and jetties are structures that https://int.search.myway.com/search/AJimage.jhtml

are built perpendicular to shores to

prevent coastal erosion by promoting
beach build-up as they trap sand.

• Breakwaters are offshore structures that https://int.search.myway.com/search/AJimage.jhtml

protect coasts from parallel waves

and in turn, prevent erosion and
submersion.

• Beach nourishment is a method https://int.search.myway.com/search/AJimage.jhtml

where a large amount of sand is

added to the coasts. This will createa
new beach or widen an existing one.
However, this method is costly which
deters communities to use it. https://int.search.myway.com/search/AJimage.jhtml

• Sandbags are used to counteract

waves that hit the shores. They also
diminish the effect of a storm surge
that can cause submersion.
https://int.search.myway.com/search/AJimage.jhtml

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

 REDUCING COASTAL EROSION

Aside from coastal protection, different ways

can be done to reduce the impact of coastal
erosion. Some of them are less expensive than
constructing structures along the coasts.

• Development of infrastructures must be

constructed in safe distances from the coasts.

• Beach dewatering involves pumping outwater

from the shores to prevent erosion.

• Artificial seaweeds can be placed in the

water near the coasts to reduce the speed of
current that promote erosion.

• Ban of mining activities near coasts prevents

erosion caused by mining.

• Plant cover and vegetation around coasts aid in

protecting coasts from erosion.

https://Link.springen.com

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

 HUMAN ACTIVITIES AFFECTING OUR COASTAL AREAS

www.shutterstock.com

Human activities such land development, waste disposal,

and construction cause different changes in coastal features. It
is vital that impacts of these activities be prevented or mitigated
to help the coasts inwithstanding coastal processes.

WAYS TO PREVENT OR MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF LAND

DEVELOPMENT, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND CONSTRUCTION
ON COASTS

a. COASTAL LAND DEVELOPMENT

• Coastal land development is due to the demand in space, structures,
and facilities that are used for various human needs. It aggravates the
effects of coastal processes. It increases the incidents of sand mining and
sediment runoff that contribute to coastal erosion. In addition, the increase in
establishments leads to higher demand for freshwater whichthen contribute
to saltwater intrusion.

NegOr_Q1_Earth and LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2

 In the Philippines, PD 1586 has established the implementation of
Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIA allows the
determination of the possible environmental consequences of
implementing a project, and it also plans possible preventive and

enhancing methods for mitigation of the determined risks.

b. WASTE DISPOSAL
The increase in development and population may lead to increased
amounts of waste disposed of in a coastal area. The wastes are sometimes
disposed of in landfills built near the coasts. The construction of these
landfills not only causes land and water pollution to the coastal area but
also amplifies the effects of coastal erosion and results in saltwater
intrusion.

Effective solid waste management planning and implementation must be

carried out by the residents and users of coastal areas. Managing solid
wastes at the community level prevents coastal deterioration. Industrial
wastes must also be properly managed and not released in coastal areas.

c . CONSTRUCTION
Constructions on coasts are consequences of the increasing land
development in the area. If done haphazardly, these constructed
infrastructures can cause more harm to the coast.

NegOr_Q1_Earth and
LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2
 It is crucial that these structures are built at a safe distance from the coasts.This
ensures both the structures’ and coasts’ safety. Structures must also have
strong foundations to withstand the coastal harshness so that they will not
deteriorate. It is also suggested that the buildings be elevated so as not to
directly impact the coastal soil and for their protection against coastal
processes. If possible, reinforcing building envelopes should be considered to
protect the infrastructure and land from coastal threats.

COPING WITH SALTWATER INTRUSION

The following methods help in dealing with saltwater intrusion.

• Monitoring and assessment ensure effective management of saltwater

intrusion cases.
• Regulations from governing units aid in coping with saltwater intrusion.
Structures must be regulated to have a safe distance from the sea to
prevent excessive groundwater extraction from the reservoir that
contributes to saltwater intrusion.
• Artificial recharges pump freshwater to the reservoir to prevent saltwater
from intruding through the coasts.

• Barriers can be constructed along coasts to prevent further

advancement of saltwater if already present.

NegOr_Q1_Earth and
LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2
Key Points:

❖ Coastal land development, waste disposal, and construction are three major

human activities that directly affect coasts.

❖ Coastal land development is a thriving activity due to increasing demands.

Unfortunately, it contributes to the incidents of soil erosion and saltwater

intrusion.

❖ Risk assessment, blueprint development, and control of activities can

mitigate the effects of coastal land development.

❖ Effective solid waste management can prevent the effects of waste

disposal along coastal areas.

❖ Construction of building envelopes and strong foundations for

infrastructures and conducting works at safe and capable distance from the
shoreline are mitigation procedures for the effects of construction on
coastal areas.

NegOr_Q1_Earth and
LifeSci11_SLKWeek9_v2