THE EFFECTS OF RISING SEA LEVELS ON THE CONSERVATION OF ROMAN FISH TANKS IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

Abstract. The continuous sea level rising affects all those built heritage elements located near the seacoasts and oceans all over the world. Some of the most affected sites are the found Roman coastal fish tanks which were scattered along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and had the purpose of breeding and keeping the fish in captivity. This study will analyze the current consequences of this phenomenon in these sites, mainly on those located in Spain. It will also analyze the effects in structures because of their submergence, the effects of erosion, the different reasons for coast line variations, the risks of sea storms and floods. Estimations are also made and they are based on the forecasts of sea-level rises in order of what it is being published in scientific fields. Finally, the pernicious effects that these types of infrastructures and their associated elements will suffer in a short or medium term will be studied.