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This lies to the south-west of Barcelona, a short journey from
the city. It is rounded in form, a result of marine erosion that is occurring at
an approximate rate of 1 metre a year. The rich soil is intensively used for
horticulture. Recent years have seen valuable farmland lost to the expansion of
the Zona Franca tarrif-free industrial park and the growth of Barcelona’s
airport, El Prat. The area also contains a refuse recycling plant.
The heavily polluted river has been diverted and channelised to
allow for industrial expansion and a further diversion is planned to allow for
the expansion of the airport. Sea water incursions are contaminating the
aquifers in the area.
The area contains sand dunes suitable for vegetation succession
studies and there are a number of salt and fresh water lagoons managed and
preserved as a nature reserve. Visitor management and controlled grazing by
horses are the main management techniques. The area forms a valuable wintering
ground for many migratory species of birds and provides habitats for a number of
rare orchid species.
Study Options
 A comparison of two
beaches, one undergoing erosion, the other deposition (Llobregat Delta and
Castelldefels) to investigate:
 Beach
profiles;
Sediment size;
Wave strength and type;
Sea water and beach
quality.
An investigation into
changing water pollution levels along the Llobregat and its tributary streams in
the delta.
The environment impact
of the diversion of the River Llobregat on the area of El Prat.
The environmental and
social consequences of the El Prat refuse recycling plant.
Mediterranean wetland
management issues.
Sand
dune, salt marsh, and pine woodland ecosystem studies.
The effects of river
pollution on marine organisms: zoning on rocky foreshores. |
