Short term morphological evolution of sandy beach and possible mitigation: A case study off Kadalur Periyakuppam

Abstract

<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">This paper is a result of studies aimed at understanding morphological changes of a straight-sandy beach in response to the site specific coastal processes. Data collection includes beach profile surveys, bathymetry, and particle size distribution of sand in breaker zone, analysis of historical maps, satellite imageries, and tide and surface currents in the vicinity. Based on monthly beach profiling, the shoreline was observed to be oscillating over a distance of 30 m in normal climate conditions. However immediately after each cyclone passage, there was a major shore retreat within a matter of few days. Numerical model simulation and field data indicates that the cross shore sediment transport is significant. This understanding is essential and plays a major role in providing a sustainable shore protection measure to stabilize the site. The study further deals with the assessment of the efficacy of shore parallel submerged dyke using numerical models.</span>