Playa Xivares Pm1

Spain Coastal 1 - Excellent

Xivares is a natural sandy beach located in Carreño, Asturias, Spain, stretching 800 metres in length with a width of 75 metres. The beach experiences macrotidal conditions with a water renewal time of less than 7 days. Over the last nine years, the water quality has been classified as excellent for bathing.

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Water

Coastal marine water body. Length: 800 metres. Width: 75 metres, highly variable. Macrotidal range exceeding 4 metres. White sand composition. Water renewal time: less than 7 days. Average wind speed: 5.24 m/s. Current direction: west-northwest. Wave height: moderate.

Location

Xivares, Carreño municipality, Asturias, Spain. Located near the Aboño estuary and Gijón's El Musel commercial port. Parking available with 50–100 spaces. Pedestrian access is good, and road access is available.

Facilities

Lifeguards. Toilets. Showers. Disabled access. Good pedestrian access. Road access with 50–100 parking spaces.

Water Quality

Water quality classified as excellent for bathing over the past nine years. Microbiological monitoring performed at sampling point PM1. Overall contamination risk classified as moderate due to proximity to the industrialised Aboño estuary and El Musel port. Historical incidents include fuel spills from the Aboño thermal power station in 2012 and unknown-origin oily discharges. The Aboño River discharges high concentrations of heavy metals including zinc, lead, fluoranthene, and selenium.

Risks

Sewage pump/relief system located 250 metres from sampling point, causing short-duration contamination episodes with high risk frequency twice yearly and duration under 48 hours. El Musel port residues and discharges can be transported to bathing waters by easterly currents, with quinquennial frequency and moderate risk. Aboño River carries high concentrations of heavy metals and contaminants that occasionally reach the beach with annual frequency and moderate risk. Submarine urban outfall located 2,675 metres from sampling point. Historical jellyfish incidents recorded in summer 2008 and 2012, including Portuguese man o'war, sail jellies, sea nettles, and compass jellies; risk classified as low. No microalgae or cyanobacteria proliferation risk. Macroalgae blooms unlikely due to rocky substrate preference and beach orientation, with low risk associated with natural storm-related events.