Monitoring coastal zone changes between Għajn Barrani and Daħlet Qorrot through aerial photography

Abstract

The main focus of this study was to analyse coastal zone changes, especially those having geomorphic and anthropogenic origin, spanning from Għajn Barrani to Daħlet Qorrot, through the use of geo-referenced aerial imagery. Sand samples from ir-Ramla I-Ħamra, San Blas and Daħlet Qorrot were analysed in order to get an idea of the parent rock and the depositional processes relating to the formation of these beaches. Other features that did not change or whose changes could not have been seen through aerial imagery were recorded during the site visits. Geomorphic changes happen over time, but the question was if these changes could actually be noticed through the earliest aerial photos that were captured in 1957. Apart from this, this thesis briefly worked on a portfolio of the study area, in which geomorphic features and processes, as well as anthropogenic influences were analysed. This was done by comparing aerial photos captured in 1957, with aerial photos of the same area that were captured in 2000. Site visits facilitated the recording of geomorphic features. The sand was analysed through sieve analysis, in order to get an idea of the sediment size. The analyses showed that the sand found at Daħlet Qorrot's backshore is the largest sediment, whilst the sediment found at the backshore of Ramla I-Ħamra and San Blas is the smallest.