Shoreline dynamics of Nagapattinam coast by natural intervening geomorphic system and artificial structures

Abstract

Shoreline changes are identified and analyzed using Geomatics techniques coupled with Digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) for knowing the impacts on Nagapattinam coast. Shoreline change rates (m/yr) are estimated with respect to End point rate (EPR) and Linear regression rate (LRR) that depict considerable changes on the north and south side of intervening rivers and artificial structures on the adjacent shorelines (between 1991 and 2014). Present study explains the erosion observed at northern side of the Uppanaru river, Vettaru river and Seruthur river. Both erosion and accretion noticed on the northern side of the Vettaikaraniruppu river is discussed. This also indicates the drastic accretion noticed on northern side of the Karaikkal port and Nagapattinam port and examined the erosion at the southern side of both ports.