Sustainable multiple-use and management of the coastal zone

This paper will consider both the nearshore and the onshore sector of the coastal zone but stops short of the immediate hinterland. As the 21st century dawns, pressures on the littoral fringe intensify at an accelerating pace. Demands for its use are complex and numerous, with conflict steadily increasing. They encompass expanding human occupance, industry's search for water, implantation of transformation-facilities, processing, manufacture- and manutention plants, alternative energy installations, road-, rail- and air transportation centres, harbour space, terminals, maintenance and expansion of existing fisheries facilities, accomodation of various pipe- and slurry lines, siting of artificial islands of divergent purposes, preservation of touristic attractiveness, development of recreational installations, and - in some sites -exploitation of beaches and inner-shelf mineral deposits. Besides harmonising this vast array of exigencies, and rationally allocating space, managing must cope with environmental impact of multiple-use and the threatening aspects of sea-level rise posing the recurrent problems of coastal defense, beach restoration, and shoreline retreat

Integrated coastal zone management and GIS

Several disciplines have focused recently part of their attention on the coastal zone. Still the concept of coastal zone remains a rather fluid notion. Perhaps a geographical delimitation might contribute to better define the problems to be handled. Yet the multi- and interdisciplinarity of the studies get diluted in the process. The Geographical Information System (GIS) can significantly contribute to better use of data and insure proper data input, eliminating also overlapping information gathering. It will prove invaluable in mapping and its application covers all domains of geographic, geologic and oceanographic endeavour. Its use can perfect coastal zone study methodology. New technology makes GIS more affordable, yet, its use is, to put it mildly, still quite "timid"

Errare humanum est. Correction of Charlier, R.H., 2010. Philatelic panorama of some Belgian Antarctic marine contributions, 19th-21st centuries: From <i>Belgica</i> to <i>Princess Elisabeth</i>

Belgium has been interested in and involved in Antarctic studies for over a century. The name of Adrien de Gerlache is indelibly linked with that of his ship, the Belgica, the first vessel to ever spend a winter trapped in the ice of the southern continent. The former Norwegian sealer-whaler had a multinational crew of scientists and sailors. If it brought back a trove of information, it also did a tale of hardships and fears. The postal administration of Belgium and to a more modest extent that of Romania and Poland have illustrated the expedition, its anniversaries, and the further research carried out by Belgians in Antarctica. The Belgica was sunk by the German invasion forces in World War II. Efforts are underway to refloat the vessel and make it into a museum, as was done, e.g., for the Fram

The shrinking playground

The coastal zone of Romania earns a good deal of its revenues from tourism. In that it is not very different from other coastal areas. It faces erosion problems, and in this regard it shares a worldwide occurrence. Recent technological developments could provide a good deal of relief. Judicious choices must be made and inspiration from abroad could prove useful

Romanian marine centennial

This article explores an Antarctic expedition that led to the development of marine sciences in Romania, celebrating their one hundredth anniversary, and the creation of marine stations. Emil Racovitza participated in the Belgica Antarctic Expedition of de Gerlache which seems to have nurtured his interest in the marine sciences. He is credited with launching oceanography in Romania. Other major figures in the development of oceanography and the creation of marine research facilities are Borcea and Antipa, whose careers are retraced in the paper. Recently all research points have been regrouped to form the National Institute for Research and Development

Beach accretion with erosive waves: "Beachbuilding" = Accrétion sur les plages avec vagues érosives: "la technique de construction de plage"

A new method of beach preservation, the Beachbuilder Technique, proposes to harness the energy of normally erosive waves to produce beach accretion. A "flow control sheet" located in the surf zone directs the flow of swash and backwash causing net transport of sediment onto the beach. Beach and surf zone profiles created by the wave-tank tests show that the technique leads to accretion on this beach, during every test run with erosive waves. The successful wave tank results should reproduce on actual beaches; rapid accretion on real beaches can be expected from the scaled wave-tank results. It is anticipated that by use of this new technique, costs of beach preservation would be cut by as much as 66 %. Furthermore, rapid beach accretion, quick reaction, high mobility, good durability, and provision of employment for making the installations are major benefits to be derived

Fishermen cavalry

The short Belgian coast has been subject to numerous transformations in its physical and human geography aspects. Major changes have affected its economic geography. From an area essentially devoted to fishing, and, more inland, agriculture, it is nowadays more centred on tourism. With that new vocation some former occupations have vanished, yet some have survived as part of the folkloric patrimony. A specific and colourful example is shrimp fishing on horseback

Lowlands sixteenth century cartography: Mercator’s birth pentecentennial

The 500th anniversary of Mercator's birth ought to be celebrated as a milestone in the history of cartography and navigation. Not because he is one of the mapmakers of the 16th century, but because he contributed perhaps most significantly to the progress of navigation. Although he was born in a small Flandrian town, his name remains associated with Antwerp. His studies at the famed university of Louvain (Leuven-Lovanium) were financed by a clerical relative, and his work was buttressed by that of Ortelius, his associate. The Mercator projection proved to be a priceless gift to ship captains. Earlier in the same century a painter of renown, Peter Pourbus, in the service of the Sire of Moerbeke and of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, engaged in mapmaking using an approach worthy of modern cartographers. In the northern Lowlands, mapmaking had already made great steps forward in earlier times