IAG Photo Contest – winner August 2024
The winner of the IAG Photo Contest in August 2024 is Florin Zăinescu (France)! Find below his photo and descriptive text.
If you want to participate in the context, find the rules, guidelines and details on the procedure here.
Where River Meets Sea: 2,000 Years Growth of a Wave-Influenced Delta Lobe
by Florin Zăinescu, France
This aerial photograph showcases the Sfântu Gheorghe wave-influenced lobe of the Danube Delta which hosts the largest reed marsh expanse in the world. Over 2,000 years, the dynamic interplay between the Danube (carrying here one-third of the river’s discharge) and the Black Sea has sculpted this deltaic lobe.
Delta formation is a delicate battle between river and sea. As Danube sediments reach the coast, they encounter northern currents, winds, and waves that push them southward (top of the image), creating an asymmetric landscape. Sands gather in the north (bottom), while silts and muds form the expansive marsh plain to the south.
Barrier spits like Sacalin (thin hook, top of image) and ridges from ancient storms and waves mark this ongoing struggle. However, human impacts, such as upstream dam construction, have drastically reduced sediment supply, accelerating coastal erosion and threatening the delta’s delicate equilibrium.