Danube Delta coastline dynamics in the last 160 years

Danube Delta coastline experienced variable dynamics in the last 160 years, depending on the factors and processes which had the leading role at different temporal and spatial scales. At centennial time-scales, shoreline evolution was highly influenced by the threefold decrease of Danube sediment discharge in the last century, while on multi-decadal scale, storminess (as a result of climate variability) was the driving factor for coastline changes. Overall, human influence superposed on the natural response of the coast to variability of climatic, hydrological and hydrodynamic (marine) factors. All these changes resulted in different shoreline morphology and configuration along Danube Delta coast. Keywords— erosion/progradation; LST; river sediment discharge; storminess; climate variability