Shoreline change pattern analysis of Nagapattinam coastal stretch, Tamilnadu, India using digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS)

Abstract

We analysed Nagapattinam coastal zones of southeast coast of India, using Multitemporal satellite images for five equal interval of time period (i.e. 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2021). The EPR and LLR methods enumerate the maximum accretion at rates of 22.35, 17.02 m/year and maximum erosion rates of -22.82, -10.84 m/year at the study area coastal stretch. This modification is due to several disasters (like Tsunami, cyclone) and anthropogenic activities (like construction of harbours, excavation of beach sand, industrialisation of garbage dump, urbanisation and discharge of domestic sewage). The Kalman filter model forecasting the shoreline by using statistical analysis shows 242 and 236 m in 2031 and 2041 accretion and erosion of -239 and -226 m in same period. The accretion was mainly observed in Vedaranyam and Thirupoondi and erosion was observed in Tharangambadi, Nagapattinam Poompuhar, Karaikal and Thirumullaivasal region. The outcome of this research ensures to create awareness to protect our shoreline and manage our coastal zones properly with several remedial measures for the future.