Effects of human activity on the sandy coast in Hainan Island, China

摘要

Increased human activity has had a dramatic errect on the sandy coast in Hainan Province. At present, this sandy coast faces many serious problems, such as erosion, coastal shelter forest system damage, sandy beach argillization, and environmental pollution - the consequences of which not only result in sandy beach destruction and land loss, but also threaten human safety and property in coastal areas. Based on recent observations, the problems of Hainan Province's sandy coast are summarized and the causes for sandy coast erosion are investigated. Studies show that rising sea level, coral reef damage, reduced runoff and sediment discharge, offshore sand mining, and coastal shelter forest system damage are the major causes of sandy coast erosion. The effects of human activity on the sandy coast are more severe in some sections and have caused serious beach degradation. Human impacts on coastal sand deposits are illustrated by groin construction at the mouth of Yingzhou River in Tufu Bay. Water pollution and sandy beach argillization caused by the uncontrolled discharge of aquaculture wastewater and domestic sewage into the ocean is illustrated at Fengia Bay. Several fundamental measures to protect the sandy coast in Hainan Province are also put forward.