Anthropogenic Influence on the Aeolian Processes on the White Sea Coasts

According to the interpretation of satellite images and field observations, 15 large areas where anthropogenic activity intensifies aeolian morphogenesis were identified. The area of each site varies from 0.3 to 8.7 km² (~27 km² in total). The aeolian landforms developing under anthropogenic pressure have been studied in 3 key-areas: the Terskiy coast (mouth of the Varzuga River), Letniy coast (mouth of the Yarenga River) and Zimny coast (from the mouth of the Ruchyi River to Cape Intsy). Geomorphological and GPR profiling, aerial photography by drone aircraft, lithostratigraphic description of coastal deposits and radiocarbon dating of dead tree fragments were carried out. The response of aeolian processes to the anthropogenic load and its dependence on coastal dynamics and sediment balance in the coastal zone over the past hundreds of years were considered. Disturbances in the natural relief and vegetation increased the removal of sand from the coastal zone at coasts of all dynamic types. If the budget of sediments in the coastal zone is negative or balanced, then deflation increases on coastal terraces. If the budget of sediments is excessive, then aeolian accumulation is increased. In the area of Kuzomen Village (the mouth of the Varzuga River), where the degradation of the natural relief is most significant, the directions of wind-sand flows have changed; the mass movement of sands begins at wind speeds lower than in undisturbed coastal areas. At least 20000 thousand m³ of sands were transferred towards the land in the areas affected by anthropogenic influence. The activation of aeolian morphogenesis at the mouths of the Yarenga and Varzuga rivers approximately coincides with the initial emergence of settlements (the middle of the 16th and the 17th centuries). The greatest changes in the coastal aeolian relief and processes are caused by the passage of vehicles and have occurred in recent decades. 

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