The CIOH Scientific Boletin is a peer-review journal classified in the National Bibliographic Index (IBN) Publindex of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Minciencias), published by the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar), which is distributed under Access policies Open (Open Access). It specializes in the annual publication of original and unpublished documents that include important results in the different research areas and disciplines of marine sciences, such as oceanography, hydrography, marine biology, coastal environment engineering, protection, and coastal resource management and earth sciences, which have not been published, nor are they in the process of being published in another journal. It is a serial scientific journal that publishes refereed documents, the product of research projects carried out by the marine scientific research centers of the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar), and other institutes and researchers who make original contributions to development in the area of ​​marine science. sea. It is published in a printed format under ISSN 0120-0542 and online with ISSN 2215-9045, in Spanish and English languages. This intellectual product is protected by copyright and has an open access policy for consultation from the OJS system and also in the Maritime Publications Archive of the General Maritime Directorate, its conditions of use and distribution are defined by the Creative Commons license. The manuscripts that apply for publication must be the product of basic, technical, and applied research that makes an original contribution to the development of marine sciences in the aforementioned topics. These must be well written, in the third person; frank of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors, taking care of the good use of the Spanish and English languages.
Dirección General Marítima – Centro de Investigaciones Oceanográficas e Hidrográficas del Caribe
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MULTI-TEMPORAL BEHAVIOR OF THE TROPHIC COMPOSITION OF COMMERCIAL FISH IN THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN COAST
The Colombian Caribbean is a region of high ecological and fishing importance, where extractive activities face challenges such as overexploitation and environmental degradation. For this reason, the multi-temporal variation in the trophic composition of commercially caught fish between 2009 and 2020 was analyzed to identify trends and propose strategies for the sustainable management of fishery resources. To achieve this, data from the Colombian Fisheries Statistical Service (SEPEC) from 17 ports along the Caribbean coast were used, applying descriptive statistical analyses and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test to evaluate changes in the trophic level of catches. Of the total recorded fish, the families Carangidae, Sciaenidae, Haemulidae, Serranidae, Lutjanidae, and Scombridae accounted for 40% of the total catch. It was found that 64% of the species were mesopredator carnivores (trophic levels 3.1–4.0), 25% were top predators (4.1–4.6), and 11% were herbivores and zooplanktivores (2.0–3.0). An 8% reduction in the average trophic level of catches was observed, indicating a process of "fishing down the food web." Furthermore, since 2012, 7% of the families were classified as vulnerable, and since 2015, 1% were listed as critically endangered. The fishery resources of the Colombian Caribbean coast have undergone alterations in the ecosystem's trophic structure, likely due to the intensive extraction of higher-level predators and environmental pressure. Therefore, it is recommended to implement sustainable fishery management strategies, including biological bans, continuous monitoring of catches, and the promotion of selective practices to preserve biodiversity and ensure the stability of fisheries in the region.
Copyright (c) 2025 CIOH Scientific Bulletin http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
CIOH: 50 years of science and service to the sea
El Centro de Investigaciones Oceanográficas e Hidrográficas del Caribe (CIOH), dependencia de DIMAR creada en 1975, celebra 50 años de trayectoria consolidándose como referente nacional e internacional en investigación aplicada al mar. Su labor ha sido clave para la seguridad marítima, la protección de la vida humana en el mar y la preservación de los ecosistemas marinos y costeros. Entre sus aportes más destacados están los pronósticos meteomarinos, la cartografía náutica nacional y la publicación científica Boletín CIOH, que desde 1977 difunde el conocimiento generado. Su reconocimiento por organismos internacionales y por Minciencias como centro de investigación avala su excelencia y relevancia. Hoy, el CIOH proyecta su futuro con renovado compromiso frente a retos como el cambio climático y la gestión sostenible de los recursos marinos, articulando ciencia, tecnología y políticas públicas. El aniversario 50 se entiende no como una meta alcanzada, sino como un punto de partida para seguir innovando, cooperando y sirviendo al país con ciencia y dedicación.
Assessment of coastal erosion and accression in the Buenaventura External Bay between 1969 and 2023
This article presents the results obtained from the analysis of the evolution of the coastline between 1969 and 2023 in the sectors of Soldado Island, Santa Bárbara Island, Bazán Bocana and Piangüita (Buenaventura external Bay). The digitization of the coastline was carried out from a geomorphological and physiographic perspective, and DSAS (Digital Shoreline Analysis System) software was used to quantify the changes. Erosion/accretion rates, net shoreline movements and the greatest distance between all shorelines were calculated regardless of dates, finding that erosion and accretion rates were: at Bazán Bocana and Piangüita were within the range ± 2 m/yr, at Soldado Island between 10.7 and -10.74 m/yr, and Santa Bárbara Island between 5.9 and -8.92 m/yr. Classifying these shorelines as stable at Bocana and Piangüita, and with high erosion and accretion on the islands.
Línea de costa, erosión, acreción, Buenaventura
Solution Alternatives for the Mitigation of the Erosive Phenomena at Playa Salguero, Colombian Caribbean
Playa Salguero (south of Gaira Bay, Magdalena) coastline has experienced an average retreat of 15.16 meters (1.17m/año) between 2008 and 2021, based on a multi-temporal shoreline analysis which determines its current erosion state. The foreshore has been squeezed additionally by the near real estate infrastructure, risking the effective/public space, thus materializing a coastal erosion study case. This is numerically proven by determining sediment transport rates, transversal (0.97m3/m.l. per hour of storm) as well as longitudinal (order of 97820m3/year) at the most critical erosion sector, justifying some line of action orientated in mitigating the problematic. Offshore breakwater design configurations and beach tombolo conformed of hydraulic fill of compatible sediment are proposed, which allows to effectively reduce sediment net loss, adding resilience to the beach.
Impactos de la Oscilación del Sur de El Niño en la variabilidad hidroclimatológica de una cuenca andina tropical a partir de conjuntos de datos finos espacializados
This study explored the influence of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on hydro-climatological variability within a tropical Andean basin, using the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir basin in Colombia as a case study. ENSO, as a primary global climate variability mode, manifests in warm (El Niño) and cold (La Niña) phases, impacting precipitation patterns across regions. Given its location, the Peñol-Guatapé basin is highly susceptible to these climatic fluctuations, which affect water availability, hydropower generation, and related natural hazards, such as landslides and droughts. Various high-resolution precipitation datasets were analyzed for their accuracy in representing precipitation patterns in the basin. The findings showed that CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations data) data best captures precipitation variability, aligning most closely with surface gauge measurements. The study also investigated ENSO-driven anomalies, revealing that El Niño events lead to substantial precipitation reductions, especially during the driest seasons, posing risks to water security and hydropower generation. Conversely, La Niña enhances precipitation, potentially increasing the risk of floods and landslides. Seasonal precipitation anomalies during ENSO phases were evaluated, confirming that the basin’s hydrological conditions are modulated by ENSO-driven precipitation patterns. These findings underscore the need for adaptive water management strategies to mitigate the impact of climate variability on water resources, infrastructure, and ecological stability in the Andean region. This research contributes to the understanding of ENSO’s localized impact, aiding in future water resource planning and risk management for the basin.
Impact of fluvial hydraulic structures (jetties) on coastal dynamics. Case of study: Magdalena River mouth, Colombia.
This study analyses coastal erosion processes in the Magdalena River delta, based on the analysis of satellite images and aerial photographs from the last 30 years. Evidence suggests that the construction of the Bocas de Ceniza jetties in 1935 has been a key factor in the coastal erosion processes to the west of the river. Using satellite images and nautical charts from the time, the evolution and changes in the coast of the Magdalena River delta, as well as its main coastal landforms (Mallorquín swamp, Isla Verde spit, and Puerto Velero spit), are documented. The results show that between 1935 and 2022, to the east of the jetties, accretion has been limited (+387 ha) by the extension of the coastal structures, while erosion has affected an area further east (+1600 ha). To the west of the jetties, erosion has been even more pronounced (-3336 ha), causing a 24.6 km retreat of the coastline from the river mouth and the disappearance of Isla Verde. This change in the morphology of the coast and seabed allowed sedimentation and the formation of the Puerto Velero spit (+374 ha), which continues to grow, although erosion (-163 ha) is observed downdrift. The application of Hsu’s parabolic equation indicates that the coastline of the Mallorquín Bar has reached a state of static equilibrium, suggesting nearly zero net sediment transport and a decrease in sediment supply to the west. This could increase the vulnerability of the Puerto Velero spit to erosion, as its growth still depends on sediment from the northeast. Thus, the stability of the Mallorquín Bar could affect the future evolution of this coastal spit. Historical analysis also confirms the presence of dense mangrove ecosystems in the area before the channelling works at the Magdalena River mouth. However, this natural protection was insufficient to prevent the loss of 2,566 ha, suggesting that mangroves cease to provide effective coastal protection when their sediment retention capacity diminishes due to an interrupted sediment supply. In contrast, the formation and growth of the Puerto Velero spit were not hindered by the absence of these ecosystems, reaching an area of 374 ha with a growth rate of approximately 141 m/year. In conclusion, mangroves represent a nature-based solution for coastal protection that will only be effective if the sediment supply is restored. This study analyses coastal erosion processes in the Magdalena River delta, based on the analysis of satellite images and aerial photographs from the last 30 years. Evidence suggests that the construction of the Bocas de Ceniza jetties in 1935 has been a key factor in the coastal erosion processes to the west of the river. Using satellite images and nautical charts from the time, the evolution and changes in the coast of the Magdalena River delta, as well as its main coastal landforms (Mallorquín swamp, Isla Verde spit, and Puerto Velero spit), are documented. The results show that between 1935 and 2022, to the east of the jetties, accretion has been limited (+387 ha) by the extension of the coastal structures, while erosion has affected an area further east (+1600 ha). To the west of the jetties, erosion has been even more pronounced (-3336 ha), causing a 24.6 km retreat of the coastline from the river mouth and the disappearance of Isla Verde. This change in the morphology of the coast and seabed allowed sedimentation and the formation of the Puerto Velero spit (+374 ha), which continues to grow, although erosion (-163 ha) is observed downdrift. The application of Hsu’s parabolic equation indicates that the coastline of the Mallorquín Bar has reached a state of static equilibrium, suggesting nearly zero net sediment transport and a decrease in sediment supply to the west. This could increase the vulnerability of the Puerto Velero spit to erosion, as its growth still depends on sediment from the northeast. Thus, the stability of the Mallorquín Bar could affect the future evolution of this coastal spit. Historical analysis also confirms the presence of dense mangrove ecosystems in the area before the channelling works at the Magdalena River mouth. However, this natural protection was insufficient to prevent the loss of 2,566 ha, suggesting that mangroves cease to provide effective coastal protection when their sediment retention capacity diminishes due to an interrupted sediment supply. In contrast, the formation and growth of the Puerto Velero spit were not hindered by the absence of these ecosystems, reaching an area of 374 ha with a growth rate of approximately 141 m/year. In conclusion, mangroves represent a nature-based solution for coastal protection that will only be effective if the sediment supply is restored.
Coastal erosion River discharge Sediment transport
Mangroves, beaches, and seagrasses of San Andrés Island. Community maps to understand their value.
Science is social, and like any human activity, it is not exempt from the influence of the culture that surrounds the scientists who carry it out. Those who execute it are part of society and the objectives are always to solve a problem or need in the community. To achieve this, the construction of knowledge is required, but not only scientific knowledge, but all the knowledge produced by other actors in the community. With the completion of this project, a group of students from the National University of Colombia included high school students from San Andrés Island in the final stage of the cycle of knowledge about marine-coastal ecosystems: learning and sharing (in two-way) through the creation of maps as a visual communication language.
Expediciones científicas Seaflower: una década de conocimiento y conservación de nuestro Caribe insular
Copyright (c) 2024 CIOH Scientific Bulletin http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
PNN Old Providence McBean Lagoon: Evidences of refuge for threatened and herbivorous fishes during Seaflower Expedition 2019
The Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park (PNNOPMBL) was created with purposes such as conserving ecosystems and key species that contribute to local and regional fishing productivity. Overfishing and habitat loss have threatened several commercial fish species and some herbivorous fish. The PNNOPMBL can constitute an important refuge for these species in fulfillment of their conservation objectives. During the 2019 Seaflower Expedition in Providencia Island, the richness, abundance, size ranges and biomass of the fish community were evaluated inside and outside the park. In the PNNOPML station within the Park, 16 species of fish categorized as threatened were registered, 15 of them included in the red book of fish in Colombia, the biomass, abundance and density of these species were higher than those registered for other sites outside the Park. The biomass of herbivorous fish considered important for the resilience of coral reefs due to their ecological role was also higher within the Park. These results demonstrate the important role of these areas to protect species under conservation and contribute to natural and social sustainability.
Plan Nacional de Expediciones Científicas Marinas
Detection of pathogenic microorganisms in ballast water of internationally trafficked vessels that arrived at maritime ports on the Colombian Atlantic coast during the years 2020 to 2023
Ballast water has historically been used in vessels to maintain their stability during navigation. However, this practice posed a significant environmental risk, as it facilitated the transport of marine organisms from one ecosystem to another. To mitigate this impact, international regulations were implemented, including the D-2 standard established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which requires the reduction or elimination of living organisms through onboard treatment systems. In this context, the present study aimed to detect pathogens in ballast water in Colombian seaports, in order to verify compliance with Resolution 477 of 2012 issued by the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR). The study area included the ships that arrived at various Colombian seaports. The methodology used was the sampling directly from the ballast water tanks for the detection of indicator microorganisms defined by standard D-2 specifically Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci. The results also included a review of vessel log documentation to verify the validity of the investigation, showed that Vibrio cholerae presented a concentration of <1 colony-forming unit (CFU) per 100 ml in all monitored years (2020 to 2023). In the case of E. coli, growth was evidenced in one ballast water tank in the year 2023; however, the values remained within the permissible limits established by the regulation. For its part, intestinal enterococci showed a growth exceeding 100 CFU/100 ml in two sampled ships in the years 2020 and 2023, exceeding the values stipulated by standard D-2. Similarly, the vessels comply with the records as of the implementation of the treatment systems. The study reinforces the importance of having regulations that allow for comprehensive management of environmental sustainability in the oceans, and that, when regulated, monitoring is continuous
Marine and Coastal Management: Vision of Maritime Authority in the San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina Archipelago in the Colombian Caribbean
Island territories hold significant importance due to their environmental, economic, and social characteristics, making it necessary to plan and manage their marine and terrestrial spaces. In Colombia, the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina stands as a primary tourist destination, hosting various maritime activities that have the potential to generate conflicts and impact diverse natural environments. The purpose of this research was to apply the methodology of Marine and Coastal Management: Vision of Maritime Authority (MCM:VMA), methodology to analyze the current and future conditions of marine-coastal uses and activities within the islands, as a tool for decision making. Results from this research reveal that the primary contributors to conflict include restricted areas, the Marine Protected Area, the artisanal fishing zone, and the coral reefs. Furthermore, the most suitable zones for the development of maritime activities and their compatibility were defined on the basis of the Allocation and Co-location Model (MAYC in Spanish), the study established the percentages of suitable areas for aquaculture (61.24%), offshore wind farms (48.02%), and submarine cables (48.32%). Finally, through the implementation of the Prioritization Index for Decision Making (IPTD in Spanish) which determined the degree of development trend and representativeness of each use/activity in the area, aquaculture emerges as the sector with the highest growth potential when compared to offshore wind farms and submarine cables.
Ocurrences and Body Sizes of Common Cartilaginous Fish Species in the Seaflower Biosohere Reserve
Coral reefs worldwide face numerous threats, endangering both ecosystems and coastal communities. To gathered population data on marine species, particularly apex predators like sharks and rays, is crucial for effective conservation. We present occurrences and body size data of five common cartilaginous fish species from visual surveys conducted with dive operated stereo-video technique between 2018 and 2022. We found relevant variation in species sightings among locations and our findings underscore the need for continued research to assess their population status and inform conservation strategies tailored to each species and location.
San Andres, Providence and Santa Catalina Archipelago
Contributions of the Seaflower Expeditions to the Knowledge of Decapod Crustaceans of the San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina Archipelago with New Records
The Man and the Biosphere Program recognized the natural wealth of the Archipelago and declared it a Seaflower Biosphere Reserve in 2000; Miniambiente later declared it a Marine Protected Area in 2005. Between 2017 and 2018, within the framework of the Seaflower Scientific Expeditions, crustaceans were collected from coral remains and soft bottoms. Representatives of 17 families were collected on the Cayo Serranilla Islands (ICS) and Alburquerque Islands (ICA). The results show a greater wealth in ICA, with 46 species of 31 genera, while in ICS only 37 species and 27 genera recorded. In total, 67 decapod morphospecies recorded in the two keys, contributing to knowledge with 26 new records for the Archipelago and six new ones for Colombia. With these results, the number of species for the Archipelago is 236, with an increase of 12.38%, and 16.7% of the total number of registered species. These records highlight the importance of the reserve for the Colombian Caribbean, contributing 32.3% of the species registered for Colombia.
New Records of The Saint George Island Gecko (Aristelliger georgeensis) in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Colombia
The Saint George Island Gecko is a Caribbean species recorded on the coasts and islands of Mexico, Belize and Honduras, and prefers rocky substrates, trees and shrubs. Its distribution in Colombia is limited to the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, where it has been recorded on the three most populated islands and on Roncador Key. During the scientific expeditions to the Reserve between 2014 and 2021, the search for this species was intensified through surveys in the emerged areas (islands and cays) of Serranilla, Serrana, Roncador, Alburquerque, Providencia and Santa Catalina. This species of gecko was recorded in all the localities visited, which broadens our knowledge of its geographic distribution. Since this is a nationally threatened species, these new records represent potential opportunities for its conservation. However, the introduced and invasive species recorded in most localities (i.e., Rattus spp., Gallus gallus domesticus, Hemidactylus frenatus and Periplaneta americana) pose a threat to this gecko and require urgent management measures.
Condition of the coral community in three reef complexes of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Colombian Caribbean
Despite the contemporary trends of generalized coral loss, it is presumed, in part from lack of information, that remote oceanic coral reefs must be in a better condition that continental ones, if geographical distance would keep them away from direct human pressures. This work was aimed at determining if the coral community of the oceanic atolls of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve (Albuquerque, Courtown and Bajo Nuevo) in the southwestern Caribbean, Colombia, have also experienced changes towards new configurations. To analyze benthic cover, photo quadrat transects were evaluated. To study algal turfs in interaction with live coral tissue, cores were extracted. In Courtown, herbivores were quantified through stationary censuses. There were 48 hard coral species, but the benthic cover was dominated by non-reef building organisms (59.1-61.7 %), especially algal turfs. In the algal turf-coral interactions, 15 groups of turf functional groups were identified. In Courtown, 20 herbivore species of 5 functional groups were recorded, signaling a low functional redundancy in comparison to continental Colombian Caribbean reefs, and thus a high vulnerability to species loss. These results show that the studied reefs, despite being remote, show changes in dominance from corals to macroalgae, especially turf algae.
Contribución al conocimiento de la riqueza de fitoplancton en la isla Cayos de Serranilla, Reserva de Biósfera Seaflower, Caribe colombiano
The Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence, and Sainte Catalina, declared Seaflower biosphere reserve in 2000, has a marine extension of about 300 000 km2 in the Caribbean Sea. In its northernmost part, there is SerraniIla Cay, an ancient atoll formed by small, emerged cays and a marine extension of about 1 200 km2, 400 km north of San Andres Island. Most of its marine extension includes deep water, but there is a shallow platform on the southwestern part of the bank. Due to its isolation and its distance to the closest inhabited islands of the Archipelago (San Andres and Old Providence islands, it is one of the least studied portions of the Reserve. In September 2017, the Colombian Commission for the ocean (CCO) organized a scientific expedition to Serranilla, to start studying its biodiversity and ecological processes governing its ecosystems. Among the goals of the expedition, there was the characterization of the phytoplankton community in shallow water. Samples were taken with a phytoplankton net with a mesh size of 27 mum. The samples were taken vertically, from the bottom to the surface of the water at 13 sampling points. Water samples were preserved in transeau solution and observed at optical inverted microscope after sedimentation. A total of 28 genera of diatoms and 8 genera of dinoflagellates were identified. Among the species observed in most samples there are Bleakeleya notata, Nitzschia longissima, Striatella unipunctata, Podolampas palmiper and Tripos teres.
Contributions of Scientific Expeditions to the Knowledge of Marine Debris in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Colombian Caribbean: analysis of the State of Contamination, Impacts and Public Policies
This analysis explores the problem of marine litter and plastic pollution from the perspective of the Expeditions carried out to the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Colombia, focusing on the possible sources, marine health, and the implications of public policies on the said problem. This review highlights the vulnerability that remote islands face to plastic pollution, and the poor and difficult management of garbage in general, resulting in serious consequences for the health of the surrounding marine-coastal ecosystems. Through an analysis of waste distribution and impact, effective practices for environmental protection are proposed herein, as well as sustainable management strategies. The urgent need to reduce the use of plastic in remote marine-coastal environments is highlighted in order to mitigate the environmental and economic challenges posed by the limited operational management of waste on remote islands with limited land space.
Polychaetes (Annelida) of the Alburquerque and Serranilla Cays, Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Colombian Caribbean
Polychaetes are the most abundant marine invertebrates, with a valuable contribution of biomass to the food chain and the balance of ecosystems. In the Colombian Caribbean, the areas with the greatest lack of information on marine biodiversity are the islands. In order to understand the polychaete communities of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, in the Colombian insular Caribbean, studies were carried out between 2017 and 2018 in the Serranilla (CS) and Albuquerque (CA) Cays to generate an inventory of polychaetes from these two areas. Using dredges, nets, scuba diving and freediving, the collection in both cays revealed a total of 30 families, 152 genera and 226 species. The families with the highest number of species were Syllidae (56 species), Eunicidae (23 species), Spionidae (16 species) and Sabellidae (14 species). This list contains 86 new records of genera and 172 species of polychaetes in the Colombian Caribbean.
Approach to the Patterns of Navigability, Accidentality and Sinking in Courtwon Cays
The development of interdisciplinary maritime and underwater archaeological research on Underwater Cultural Heritage submerged in Colombian waters has been exposed to considerable growth in recent years. Particularly in the Caribbean, studies have been proposed not only towards the continental portion of Colombia but also in the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina. There scientific approaches have been advanced, interested in inventorying and characterizing underwater cultural resources that can provide valuable historical and cultural information about the past of human societies. Under this premise, this article aims to present the interdisciplinary analyses proposed in Courtwon Cays within the framework of the Expedición Científica Seaflower of the year 2022, particularly to understand the patterns of navigability, accidentality and sinking in the region, in order to contribute to the national registry and inventory of the Underwater Cultural Heritage of the Archipelago. The above, applying inter-institutional methodological proposals applied in recent years in different parts of the Colombian Caribbean
Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina
Ocean politics and governance: between complexity and necessity
Around the 1970s, a new phase of globalization began, which intensified after the fall of the socialist bloc and the Berlin Wall, rapidly increasing economic, political, and cultural exchange. This led to a growing interdependence between countries, a phenomenon fueled by various sources, including technological changes driven by the third industrial revolution from the 1950s and the fourth industrial revolution, whose onset is marked by the emergence of the internet, according to historians of science.
Copyright (c) 2023 CIOH Scientific Bulletin http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Science and Sovereignty: Scientific contributions from the CIOH Scientific Bulletin to the defense of Colombia before the International Court of Justice in The Hague
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, the International Court of Justice in The Hague made public its ruling denying the claims that Nicaragua had made, which requested recognition of continental shelf rights extended beyond 200 nautical miles of its coast. all of them within the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf generated by the San Andrés Archipelago and the continental coast of Colombia. The entire Nation, from the government, its institutions and public opinion in general, has recognized the enormous importance of the contribution of the oceanographers and hydrographers of the National Navy of Colombia, in the preparation and elaboration of scientific, technical, nautical charts, high resolution underwater maps, etc., used in the defense of Colombia against the demands and pretensions of Nicaragua.
User perception of coastal risks. A practical case study on the beaches of Mayapo (Colombian Caribbean)
Tourist beaches are sensitive and complex ecosystems that are constantly subjected to pressures derived from anthropic activities. The presence of natural phenomena increases coastal risks. The research was documentary and descriptive. The object of the study focused on assessing the perception that users have about the existing coastal risks on the beaches of Mayapo, in the department of La Guajira, Colombia. Among the results, it was found that the most frequent threat to the area of the beach comes from floods that occur in the rainy seasons, characterized by strong winds and large waves. It is concluded that the beach area currently suffers flood threats that lead to a reduction in the size of the coastal strip and damage to the present infrastructure, affecting the environmental, economic and sociocultural sustainability of the coastal territory.
Coastal risks, perception, tourist beaches, natural phenomena, La Guajira
Oceanographic factors as modulators of biodiversity in the La Guajira upwelling system: a systematic review
In the northern part of Colombia is the department of La Guajira, a marine-coastal area influenced by different oceanographic and atmospheric processes that give it unique characteristics. Various investigations have focused on describing the oceanography of La Guajira, in which the environmental variables respond differently according to the climatic season; however, there are few works that contrast the oceanographic processes of the area of interest with the biodiversity. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the main environmental factors that modulate the oceanography of La Guajira and to establish whether the authors link them with aspects of biodiversity. To achieve this, a search was carried out for scientific articles related to the climatology and oceanography of La Guajira, for which three world-renowned databases were consulted: Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Finally, it was concluded that, although several investigations have analyzed the behavior of the Caribbean Sea and the way in which its temperature, salinity and chlorophyll vary at different scales, few investigations have focused on relating these characteristics with the biodiversity of the zone; a key aspect to take into account if we think that species and ecosystems respond to the way the climate and the ocean behave.
Analysis of wave climate and energy potential of intermediate waters in the marine sphere of influence of the main ports of the Colombian Caribbean
This paper presents a study of the wave climate of the Colombian Caribbean Sea, between coordinates 8° N and 16° N latitude and 84° W and 70° W longitude, and the energy potential at intermediate water points within the area of the Colombian Caribbean, which serve as inputs for the country's maritime interests. It was carried out based on the analysis of wave propagation simulations for 30 years developed at the Center for Oceanographic and Hydrographic Research of the Caribbean (CIOH), using the SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) model, forced with the winds of the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) from 1979 to 2010 and validated with directional buoy data from the Colombian General Maritime Directorate (Dimar) and the United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Caribbean. The results show four regions of similar wave height, period, and directional characteristics in the Colombian Caribbean. The first is the region around the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, and the second is a southern region between Urabá and Cartagena. A third comprises the central region around Barranquilla and Santa Marta, and the fourth, between Riohacha and Puerto Bolivar, occupies the northern part. The highest wave height values are observed for Barranquilla and Santa Marta, while the lowest are at Urabá. Furthermore, we evaluated the renewable wave energy capacity by studying the potential energy spectrum for virtual buoys in the primary ports. We observed that the energy was concentrated between 4 s and 6 s, with wave heights ranging from 0.5 m to 3 m for buoys in Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Puerto Bolivar, and Providencia. Amongst these, Barranquilla displayed the highest potential, with a period of 7 s and a wave height of 4m, followed by Santa Marta with values of 6 s and 3.8 m. The annual pattern of average energy potential revealed high values between December and March, medium values from June to August, and low values in May and between September and November; demonstrating that there is greater energy in the dry seasons and lower energy in the wet seasons. The wave conditions detected surpass the necessary threshold for energy generation via a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) alternative energy system, offering highly promising yield potentials, which could be magnified through the use of energy parks.
wave climatology, SWAN model, Colombian Caribbean sea, wave potential energy
About the need for an assessment on the risk of pollution from the fuel on board the shipwreck of the former USS Peacock in the Bay of Cartagena de Indias
The tugboat USS Peacock was sunk near the tip of the Castillogrande peninsula in the Bay of Cartagena when it accidentally collided with the Norwegian-flagged merchant ship MS Hindanger on 23 August 1940. Almost split in two, it quickly sank, killing three crew members while 23 were rescued. Since it started to be monitored in 1992, it has been noted that fuel drops sporadically come out of the shipwreck and its position coincides with the measurements of the highest concentration of hydrocarbons in the bay. The Diving and Salvage Department of the Colombian Navy has been monitoring this situation that is still ongoing. Therefore, this article suggests a research project to evaluate of the amount of fuel that the shipwreck may have on board and to study the alternatives to remove it in order to allay the environmental risk.
Oceanographic cruises within a spatial data infrastructure. Colombia case study
Oceanographic cruises, and scientific expeditions at sea in general, constitute an important contribution to the historical memory of the beginnings and evolution of marine scientific research and, within the framework of the Decade of Ocean Science, access to the data collected for decades support sustainable ocean development. For this reason, the Colombian Center for Oceanographic Data carried out a process of archaeology and recovery of data and information from oceanographic cruises carried out in the Colombian Pacific and Caribbean from 1969 to 2020. Subsequently, the information was structured in a geographic database known as the national Maritime, Fluvial and Coastal Spatial Data Infrastructure. In addition, metadata was documented under a profile of the ISO 19115 standard, implementing good international practices, and a software application was developed to facilitate the search for geographic information and open access to measurements made on site. As a result, information from 130 oceanographic cruises (1969-2020) was made available, 96 technical cruise reports were recovered, 87 track charts were reconstructed, and 130 metadata were published, with the possibility of continuing to feed the system with new cruises and scientific expeditions.
Study of the sedimentation and erosion rates of the La Barra sector of the San Andrés de Tumaco navigable channel, Nariño
Monitoring the evolution of the seafloor in navigable channels ensures safe navigation. In this research, sedimentation and erosion rates were estimated using multibeam bathymetric data in the navigable channel of San Andrés de Tumaco, Nariño, Colombia, specifically in the sector known as "La Barra," for different periods between 2019 and 2021. Additionally, the coastline was traced for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 to identify coastal dynamics at the estuary mouths closest to the study area and their relationship as sediment sources. Lastly, precipitation data were analyzed to establish its correlation as a forcing variable for sediment transport and continental sediment input into Tumaco Bay. As a result of these analyses, the highest accumulated sedimentation volume in the La Barra sector was 188 881 m3 and the highest erosion volume was 150 245 m3, both of which were observed in the longest observed period. Additionally, the average sedimentation rate was calculated as 24 409 m3/month, excluding the longest period. The spatiotemporal analysis of the coastline revealed sectors with accretion, retreat, or which are stable or constant, with accretion processes predominating due to continental sediment accumulation. Furthermore, the relationship between precipitation and the accumulated sedimentation volume in La Barra sector is represented by the equation S = 56.591P + 15 529, and for the accumulated erosion volume, E = 48.749P – 5 263.6. Based on the estimation of sedimentation/erosion rates, coastal dynamics, and their correlation with precipitation as an influential variable in sediment transport, which generates morphological changes in the seafloor, decision-making authorities can propose adjustments in sediment removal processes in the La Barra sector to ensure safe navigation in the access channel to Colombia's second most important Pacific port.
Co-participatory identification of the impacts of climate change on the maritime cultural heritage of Tierra Bomba Island, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Climate change currently represents one of the greatest risks for the development of biodiversity and the social and cultural sustainability of human beings throughout the planet. This paper presents the partial results of the pilot phase of research which developed a space designed for community actors interested in generating a proposal for identifying the effects of climate change on the maritime cultural heritage of the island of Tierra Bomba, in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). This project, called "Colaborartorio Azul", is a co-participatory laboratory interested in articulating the different community, institutional and academic knowledge on Climate Change and its impact on the natural-cultural heritage of the maritime and coastal landscape of the city and some of its population centers.
Mapping the seabed of the Colombian Caribbean: Proposal for a cartographic scheme of the underwater geomorphology of Colombia (South and Central Section of the continental margin)
This paper shows the progress made in relation to the project to carry out submarine geomorphological and structural mapping of Colombian maritime territory, which started with the design of a cartographic grid divided into 22 charts at a scale of 1:250 000. This paper presents the first two charts developed between the years 2020-2021. These charts were prepared with the use of bathymetric information, 2D seismic data, magnetic and gravimetric anomalies, and satellite data, all integrated in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). As a result, the geomorphological units that characterize the southern and central part of the continental margin of the Colombian Caribbean were published in two thematic charts numbered 1408 and 1409, as established in the cartographic grid designed for this purpose.