The document discusses an environmental study of the Ría de Ferrol estuary in Spain. Some key details provided include: - The estuary is 12.5 km long and up to 2.5 km wide, with a maximum depth of 23 meters. - There are several towns along the estuary with a total population of over 137,000 people. - Various human activities and constructions have altered the natural banks of the estuary over time, such as bridges, docks, and landfills. Industries are also located along its banks. - Urban wastewater and untreated discharges affect water quality in the estuary.

1. Environmental study of the ría Using Google Earth IES Concepción Arenal Ferrol (Spain)

3. Activity 1 Locate Ferrol using Google Earth

4. The ría from the bottom

8. Population in the municipalities around Ría 137.031 5.553 Neda 15055 37.008 Narón 15054 5.605 Mugardos 15051 74.696 Ferrol 15036 14.169 Fene 15035 Total Population Municipality Postal code

10. Activity 4 Find constructions built throughout history that have altered the natural banks of the estuary: bridges, docks, landfills… Mark them on the map http ://www. lavozdegalicia .es/ ferrol /2009/08/14/0003_7907200. htm

11. The bottom of the ria The interior port

12. There are three steps in the sedimentation process. The first is the detachment of materials from the earth's surface. Both rain and sprinkler irrigation water drops can detach solid particles of material from the soil surface. The overland flow of water also represents an important detachment process. The second step is transport of detached soil particles. Water movement-velocity, depth, volume, frequency, duration and turbulence- regulates the extent of detachment and the distance that materials can be transported. The third step is deposition. Sediment is deposited when water velocity decreases to such an extent that it can no longer support the suspended material, or when the water depth decreases to such an extent that particle movement is impossible. The Sedimentation Process 1

13. Natural sedimentation is important in the development and maintenance of numerous coastal habitats. Habitats requiring sediment input include coastal wetlands, lagoons, estuaries and mangroves. Reduction in natural rates of sedimentation can compromise the integrity of these habitats, as can excessive sediment loads, which may bury benthic communities and threaten sensitive habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and rocky substrates. Contaminated sediments, whether they are fresh inputs or dredged, may also lead to pollution, the latter through resuspension or improper disposal. Anthropogenic modifications to sediment mobilization and sedimentation are made by, inter alia, construction activities, forestry operations, agricultural practices, mining practices, hydrological modifications, dredging activities, and coastal erosion. Effects are generally local in nature, but transboundary implications may occur in some areas where major river systems form a common border and where littoral currents carry inputs across international boundaries. The Sedimentation Process 2

16. Activity 7 To what extent can the port activity affect the state of the marine ecosystem? http ://ces. iisc . ernet .in/ energy /HC270799/HDL/ENV/ envsp /Vol164. htm Exterior port Interior port