Morphodynamics of Sevastopol Bays under Anthropogenic Impact

The degradation of the Crimean shores under the influence of the anthropogenic factor has become a serious problem to overcome which significant efforts and financial resources are spent. The purpose of the article is to consider retrospectively the morphodynamics of Sevastopol bays under the influence of anthropogenic activity. We used materials of MHI RAS observations, satellite and aerial photographs, literary sources as well as a range of maps and plans, mainly of the 19th century. It is shown that the natural environment of Sevastopol bays has changed significantly as a result of anthropogenic activity. The greatest impact is noted in the area of Sevastopol Bay, where the shores have been subjected to significant anthropogenic impact (the removal of cliffs, concreting of the coastline, construction of piers, etc.). The shores, which can be classified as untransformed, have survived only on 1.1 km (or 3 %) of the original length of the coastline. The outer shores of the coastal bays have preserved their natural state to the greatest extent. Only 1.3 km (17 %) were subject to anthropogenic impact consisting in cutting and planning of cliffs and erection of coastal protection and beach-retaining structures. The shores of the coastal bays themselves were subject to a much greater impact. Only one of them preserves the average level of technogenic impact, whereas in three of them it is the maximum, and in three others it is extreme. Out of 33.5 km of the inner perimeter of the bays, about 10 km (30 %) remain relatively unchanged. It is noted that by now only 0.3 km or 10 % of the pre-existing shores with sandy beaches have remained in the region under consideration. It is observed that as a result of anthropogenic activity, the Sevastopol group of salt lakes, which were previously used medicinally, has been almost destroyed.