Shoreline changes and recent erosion-sedimentation rates on the south Iberian Atlantic coast (SWSpain)

Following the maximum Flandrían Transgression (6,900 yr. B.R), the original coastline, with wide promontories and estuaries, underwent considerable straightening out. This was due mainly to the intense littoral dynamics, causing retreat of the capes and progradation in the inlets. Measurement of recentrâtes ofcoastal advance-retreat have been possible thanks to the number ofXVIth-XVIIth century watch towers situated on the shoreline, and to geomorphological mapping and radiometric dating ofthe littoral sedimentary formations (Doñana). An area of maximum retreat has been identified (at the Asperillo tower), averaging around 1.2 m/yrin the last240years, and an area of maximum progradation (Doñana), averaging up to 2-4 m/yr for the last 1,800 years and 1.05 m/year in the last 200 years. The natural evolution of this coastal stretch shows a tendency for the erosive-sedimentary point of inflexion to move eastwards, as shown by the different erosive and sedimentary land forms of the are