engleski

A possible impact of Adriatic's sealevel rise to sanitation and health

Background: The slow sea level rise of the Adriatic Sea has been obvious during last millenniums. The permanent rise of the sea level and the simultaneous sinking of the land caused the withdrawal of the shoreline. These phenomena had been created troubles to inhabitants of the coastal settlements since antique ages. Consequently, the builders of that time resisted to this process in various ways. Material and methods: Data for the study were collected by observation and measurements of the seas level and function of the sewage systems. Results: Sensible hydrodynamic equilibrium between salt and fresh water has been disturbed in karstic ground because of sea-level rise. Many of coastal springs have become more brackish and the water unsuitable for drink. Besides, some of coastal areas had been transformed into swamps, facilitating lifecycle of mosquitoes and contributing to spread of malaria. According to the newest findings, 3 to 10 mm annual rise of sea level of Adriatic Sea can be expected. The combination of sea level rise and sinking of coastal embankments might cause flooding and malfunction of sewage system in lower parts of coastal settlements. This problem occurred in the area of central market of the city of Rijeka during last decades of the XX century. The sewage system has been reconstructed in 2003, but the problem of sea reflux during extreme tides remained persistent. Conclusion: The phenomenon of changes in sea level will be expressed as occurrence of extreme tides (acqua alta), causing series of troubles in coastal settlements (saline pollution of the potable water, malfunction of the sewage systems, flooding of the port banks and tourist resources).

health; sanitation; sea level

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