Sedimentation rate challenge in the Gorgan Bay (southeastern of the Caspian Sea) and suggested management strategies

The Gorgan Bay is a shallow, semi-enclosed bay located in the southeastern of the Caspian Sea. The bay receives a significant amount of sediment from the Caspian Sea, Gorgan River, and its around rivers. The Gorgan Bay is an important marine habitat. However, excessive sedimentation negatively affects the bay’s ecological health. Sedimentation rate were calculated at the mouth of the bay using sedimentary cores and short time sediment traps collected from the area in four distinct stations. Results indicated that the sedimentation rate has increased significantly in recent decades, likely due to watershed basin physiography, sediment supply, sediment texture, sea level changes, shallow subsidence, and human activities such as agriculture and dam construction. Mean short time sedimentation rate was about 1.43 cm/year resulted from sediment traps. This study highlights the importance of monitoring sedimentation rates in coastal areas to better understand and manage their ecological health.