Sand colour at Cuba and its influence on beach nourishment and management

• Sand colour is a momentous component of coastal environments, both for ecological issues and for tourism activity.
• Beachgoers preference is towards light coloured sand, but strongly coloured beaches can attract tourists as geotopes.
• Sand colour assessment can help in tourist development schemes.
• Beach nourishment can alter original sand colour positively/negatively with an environmental and economic impact.
• Beach nourishment at Varadero, performed with darker sand, reduced the appeal of this tourist destination.

The colour of 93 beaches in Cuba was assessed in CIEL*a*b* colour space. Study sites comprised exposed and sheltered mainland beaches and keys. Notwithstanding the limited extension of this country, beaches show real colour variability due to mineralogical differences in rock outcrops in the various watersheds, the proximity of the coral reef and the shell fragments originated in open coast or mangrove areas. PCA performed on the L*, a* and b* parameters allowed beach groupings which fitted with their geographical locations and identified those altered by beach nourishment. Sand lightness was considered by taking into account visitor's preferences, addressed to very clear sand, which is infrequent in mainland Cuba. One strongly coloured beach was found, for which a geosite institution is proposed. The impact of beach nourishment on native sand colour was studied and the beach at Varadero, probably the most popular Cuban beach, was negatively impacted by this activity. Reconstruction was necessary after severe erosion induced by Sea Level Rise and hurricanes. Recommendations for wise beach nourishment in tropical areas are given.

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