Análisis comparativo entre el Puerto de Mar del Plata, Argentina y el Río Tweed, Australia.

Técnicas de bypass como estrategia para superar la obstrucción de la deriva litoral.

Abstract

The port of Mar del Plata altered sediment dynamics since it was built at the beginning of the XX century. Due to the diffraction on waves, the access to the port is partially clogged, reducing the sediment inputs to the North. This situation requires a frequent dredging and beach nourishment repopulation with significant economic investments. These strategies were palliatives and do not solve the problem: the obstruction of the coastal drift. The objectives of this exploratory work are: a) compare the human and natural variables that influence coastal dynamics and navigability, in two coastal sites that have similar erosion problems, the port of Mar del Plata (Argentina) and the mouth of the Tweed River, New South Wales (Australia), and b) to analyze and discuss the technique of “sand bypassing” applied by the Australian government, to address the sand deficit at the beach of Gold Coast. The method involves are cartographic review, and the development of the theoretical framework and systematization of data and information is analyzed from a comparison of the two sites. It was observed remediation strategies implemented in the Australian coastal respected the coastal dynamics and ensured its sustainability. Also, it improve the navigation safety and the effect of waves and habitat conservation for marine organisms improved. On the contrary, in Mar del Plata, traditional techniques to recover the port and beaches have not yielded the expected results, despite the economic, environmental and social aspects of its implementation. It is recommended that the technique of “sand bypassing” should be implemented in Mar del Plata harbour.