Abstract
Abstract. This study focuses on morpho-sedimentary changes in the bay of Safi (Atlantic coast of Morocco), due to a progressive extension of the port. For this purpose, several bathymetric and sedimentary surveys carried out by the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy (SHOM) in 1892, 1906 and 1940 respectively, coupled with a bathymetric and sedimentary measurement mission in 2009, were analyzed to understand the impact of the port developments on the bottom of Safi Bay. This analysis consists of making maps of the evolution of (i) sedimentary facies (of different dates 1892, 1906, 1940 and 2009) and (ii) the shallow seabed of the three periods 1892–1906, 1906–1940 and 1940–2009. The sedimentary facies maps show that the facies appear unstable and evolve intermittently in response to environmental changes in the bay (port construction and expansion). In addition, the overlay of the bathymetric maps indicates that the bay has undergone changes (lowering, stability, and raising) controlled by hydrodynamic conditions before, during, and even after harbor construction. Analysis of the data showed that the expansion of the port often reshaped the morphology of the bay's seabed. The consequences of these evolutions are the appearance of the fattening or the erosion of the bank and the filling of small depressions of sediments. This evolution is reflected in the modification of the funds near the port and the beach of Safi.
Highlights
The coastal sediment transport volumes are disturbed by human interventions in coastal environments
The present study aims to analyze the evolution of sedimentary fractions and the morphology of the bottom before, during, and even after the major developments of the bay of Safi
The bay of Safi was still undeveloped, which explains that this moderate change in the granulometry of sediments was related to the forcing agents of the environment
Summary
The coastal sediment transport volumes are disturbed by human interventions in coastal environments. The deposition of alluvium in these bays is often the main cause of changes in its bathymetry (Henrico and Bezuidenhout, 2020) These port facilities have positive consequences since they have contributed to the establishment of a beach of great tourist importance at the local level since initially, the coastline of this region is dominated by cliffs (Minoubi et al, 2018). Bathymetric surveys and sediment samples of different date scales covering the period from 1892 to 2009 were used to assess the historical evolution of the bay of Safi in terms of morphosedimentary changes, taking into account the impact of port developments on the morphology of this bay
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