Shore grykes and tidepool-like morphologies along the western Istrian coast.

We provided new data on topography, morphology and physical/chemical parameters (pH, T, etc) collected in several tidepool-like morphologies along the Northwestern Istrian coast, between Savudrija (Salvore) and Zambratija (Zambrattia). 6 transects, each containing 4-5 tidepool-like morphologies, have been surveyed using topographical instruments. Higher pools highlight a smooth surface and, at the bottom, sub-rounded pebbles and locally terra rossa. Moving seaward, rounded pebbles prevail and biochemical/biophysical weathering increases surface roughness. The surveying suggests that the genesis of the studied shore morphologies is strongly controlled by geological weakness, in fact they are mainly developed along joints and axis of folds and interested by marine factors; the surface morphology depends on their elevation. Higher pools are interested mainly by inner karst factors and consequentially by marine spray, while the ones located in the mid- and low-tidal zone are interested by marine weathering, mainly biological.