Morpho-hydrodynamics of a highly altered tidally-dominated bay

Abstract

In this Thesis, hydrodynamic and human activities influences on morphology are addressed in the Bay of Cádiz, an estuary located in the south–west of Spain. The Bay of Cádiz is a highly altered embayment in which socio-economical develpments and ecological interests conflict. Shipping requires the stability of the navigation channel, maintained with periodical dredgings. Further modifications on the morphology of this area are marshes occupation and the construction of a new bridge to favor the road connectivity between the city of Cádiz and mainland. These usually confronts with the natural status of the ecosystem and the activities derived from it. This work studies both through observations and numerical simulations the impact of some of these modifications on the morpho-hydrodynamics of the Bay of Cádiz.