Longshore sediment transport rate from the field measured wave and sediment characteristics along the coast of Karaikal, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT The change in the shoreline greatly influences the coastal developments such as maritime trade, fishing activities, coastal transport, and tourism. Due to the requirements of vast developments along the coast near major habitat zones, such as the Karaikal coast along the east coast of India, it is essential to understand the longshore sediment transport (LST) movement to plan for any coastal systems to protrude. A detailed LST estimate has been made with the predicted wave climate using the wind-wave model, WAM. The wave characteristics are compared with the field measurements off the coast considered herein. The LST rates computed using five different sediment transport formulae and the method of integrating the distribution of sediment transport rates within the surf zone have been computed to understand the variations of the estimate in each method. Although the predominant direction of sediment movement is towards the north, there is a seasonal variability of LST based on the prevailing monsoon wind direction. Monitoring and analysis of the LST are important as it is required in designing coastal structures.