“Coastal Challenges in the Past, Present and Future: From Major Storms to Microplastics”
Coastal areas provide critical ecological services and economic benefits, yet the land-sea interface is facing many issues around the globe. The New England coast is morphologically complex and locally dynamic due to natural and anthropogenic influences. The shape and evolution of the shoreline and seafloor is related to ancient geology, human development, climate change and an array of processes. Recent storm events have yielded significant effects on communities in the Ocean State and across the region, and there is much concern about the future. Additionally, the direct and indirect impacts of anthropic activities are evident near cities and offshore, in the form of new infrastructure, shifting environmental conditions and pollution such as microplastics. This multitude of coastal changes raises concerns for ecological and human health. This presentation will review locally measured coastal dynamics and explore ramifications today and into the future.
About Dr. Walsh
J.P. Walsh is a professor of oceanography and a geological oceanographer with a doctorate in oceanography from the University of Washington, a master of science in marine environmental science from Stony Brook University, and a bachelor’s degree in geology from Colgate University. His research focuses on coastal sedimentary processes and related aspects, such as coastal erosion, pollutant fate and sand resources for beach nourishment. He uses sediment characteristics, oceanographic measurements, GIS and geophysical methods to understand the processes shaping shorelines and the seafloor. Over his career, Walsh has conducted research around the world including in the Philippines, France, New Zealand, Antarctica, and around the U.S. His research is important to understanding geochemical cycling, evaluating ecosystem changes, defining coastal hazards and managing natural resources. He has recently spearheaded efforts to measure microplastics on the shoreline and seabed of Narragansett Bay, and he is working on several projects examining coastal change and resilience in New England. In 2017, Walsh was a Fulbright Research Scholar at the Université de Bordeaux, where he conducted research in southwest France on coastal changes related to storm events and human activities over the last several decades. In 2023, Walsh served as a Fulbright Specialist in Mauritius and assisted MRU2024 with approaches to advance coastal management.