Published December 31, 2012 | Version v1
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The Danube Delta evolution during the Holocene: Reconstruction attempt using geomorphological and geological data and existing cartographic documents

  • 1. National Institute of Marine Geology and Geoecology – GeoEcoMar, Romania, Dimitrie Onciul Street No.23-25, Bucharest, RO 024053
  • 2. WWF consultant, historian and landscape architect: Rombus films / Wildernis consultancy, Jan de Jagerlaan 2A, 6998AN Laag Keppel, The Netherlands

Description

Abstract. The paper presents the Danube delta evolution during the Holocene with an emphasis on the last three centuries. Detailed descriptions of the
physiographic evolution and depositional characteristics of the delta are given on the basis of detailed sedimentological and geomorphological studies. For
the recent period (last three centuries) the physiographical changes are highlighted using the most interesting cartographic documents stored in different
archives and libraries of European countries and the USA. The main documents used are: the maps of 1771 and 1778, the maps of 1856-1857 made by the
Danube European Commission (HMSV Medina under the direction of Captain Spratt), the Austrian map of 1918, the Royal Navy Chart of 1926/1936, the
German map of 1944, the Soviet map of 1983, the Romanian map of 1985, the British Sea Chart of 1999 and the most recent satellite images offered by
Google (2004, 2006). Some conclusions on the delta development and on the hydrodynamic and sedimentological laws governing the processes in the
delta area, especially at the distributary mouth zones and on the coastal area are given.

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