SHORELINE DYNAMICS AND COASTAL

ENVIRONMENT STUDY OF
NAGAPATTINAM PORT
1
R.Prem Sudha, 2Dr.K.Rasappan, 3Mr.R.S.Sridhar

1
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Coimbatore-
641010
Email id: premi_jasmine@ yahoo.co.in
2
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore-641014
3
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore-641014

Abstract

India has a long coastline of about 7500 km including it’s island

territories. Ports handle about 95% of India’s foreign trade by weight/volume through
maritime transports.Harbour environment can be divided into four components –sea
surface, shoreline, ocean, floor, and the body of the ocean composed of water columns
and suspended sediments. Ports and harbour create local environmental problems.

Increasing world population, the industrialization of nations and the re-

shaping of national boundaries have caused substantial increase in the volume of ocean
commerce. The world oceans contribution as a source of food, minerals and energy as
the medium of sea borne international trade and as the basis for ocean dependent
tourism, the global economy is much more significant than is generally realized.

The environmental impacts of port operations affect water, soil, air and
all types of flora and fauna and humans. The type of local problems that may occur
include accelerated erosion or accretion. The study of area of Nagapattinam port is in
the Eastern side of Tamilnadu. This area is one of the vulnerable sites affected by
Tsunami on 26th December 2004, which caused great damages.

Nagapattinam port is one of the minor port among 185 ports in India.
They import cement and export edible oil and coconut cake. Now Government has
sanctioned rupees fifty crores to extend the port. It plays important role for supply of
diesel to Sethusamudram project.

In this present study shoreline changes and the sediment dynamics were
analyzed using toposheets, beach slope measurement and sample characteristics. The
sediment transport directions during monsoon and post monsoon seasons were found.
The results were compared with variation of monsoon.
INTRODUCTION

. A harbour is a partially enclosed area of water that serves as a place of

refuge for ships, whereas the term port refers to a portion of a harbour.Over 90% of
world’s international trade by volume and over 80% by value is transported by sea.
World wide, both the developed and developing countries provide support for
constructing harbours along their coastal region to provide shelter to the ships from
external wave disturbance.
A shoreline is defined as the line of contact between land and a body of
water.It is easy to define but difficult to capture since the water level is always
changing.The factors responsible for shoreline changes are waves, currents and tides. The
major requirements of planning coastal protection work understand coastal processes of
erosion, deposition and transport of sediments which occur due to natural processes,
anthropogenic activities as well as episodic events like cyclones, storm surges, floods
etc…
Erosion causes direct and indirect damage to the national economy, coastal roads,
buildings and valuable agricultural land have been destroyed. Simultaneous and
continuous monitoring of beach erosion and/or accretion is necessary for coastal
management. Human activities in the littoral zone where primarily the causes for
accretion on the windward side and erosion on the leeward side.

SCOPE OF STUDY

 The study of shore line dynamics will provide a management tool for rapid assessment of
natural hazard risk potential and it is important for such activities as economics,
development, tourism, planning research, science and education etc..
 12 major ports and 185 minor/ intermediate ports are situated along the coastline of India
and at sea Islands.
 Nagapattinam port is one of the minor ports in India. The port area was affected by
Tsunami in December 2004 which caused great damages.
 Now the Government has allotted Rs. 50 corers to extend the port. The study will through
light on the impacts on shoreline changes, beach slope, sediment transport and analysis of
water sample.

OBJECTIVES
 To analyze beach slope
 To analyze beach Material
 To find out the pattern of seasonal sediment transport.
 To delineate the shoreline changes during monsoon, pre-monsoon, post monsoon and
demarcating the eroding and accreting regimes.

STUDY AREA

 Nagapattinam port is situated between 10° 16 N latitude and 79° 39 E longitude in

Central East Coast of Tamilnadu and at a distance of 348 km from Coimbatore.
  There are two breakwaters in North and South of the port. The length of the breakwater is
200 to 400 m.
 Shoreline is extend 300m N and 600m S. They importing cement and exporting edible
oil and coconut cake through sea.
 The Government has planned to extend the port area for supply of diesel to the
Sethusamudram project

METHODOLOGY

 Measurement of beach slope using clinometer compass from 8 stations during monsoon
and post monsoon seasons.

 Collection of beach sample from 8 stations

 Collection of water sample from 10 stations for chemical analysis.

ANALYSIS OF BEACH SLOPE

 Beach slope was observed from 8 stations of the study area during monsoon, pre-
monsoon and post monsoon to understand the slope morphology.
 Observations were made with the help of clinometer compass. The compass has two parts
such as flat horizontal scale and a circular dial with a needle.
 The circular dial is mounted on the horizontal scale in which angle is graduated from 0°
to 360° and slope of the beach was readily measured by the needle fluctuating in the
circular dial.
 Slope of the beach was compared between the stations during each season and from the
steepness or flattening of the shore accretion and erosion were identified.

ANALYSIS OF BEACH SAMPLE COLLECTION

 Beach samples were collected from 10 locations around the port of Nagapattinam. The
sampling locations were identified with a hand held GPS.At each sampling location about
1000g of unconsolidated wet sand were collected and packed in polythene covers.
 In grain size analysis , the moisture content from collected samples was removed by oven
drying.
 Then these dried samples were weighed for finding initial weight and then sieve process
had been carried out in single stack through seven sieves for 20 min using Ro-Tap sieve
shaker.
 The sand retained on each sieve was carefully removed and again weighted which was
converted into cumulative weight percentage retained.

ANALYSIS OF WATER SAMPLE

 The water sample where collected at 10 stations. The 5th and 6th samples were collected
inside jetty.

 The samples were analyzed for pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended
solids, salinity, dissolved oxygen, sulphates, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia.
 RESULTS

BEACH SAMPLE LOCATIONS AND BEACH SLOPE

Sam Latit Longit

pling ude ude
stati (deg) (deg)
ons
1 10.45 79.51
23N 28E
2 10.45 79.51
32N 29E
3 10.45 79.51
40N 34E
4 10.45 79.51
51N 61E
5 10.45 79.51
51N 64E
6 10.45 79.51
53N 341E
7 1045 79.51 Stations Slope in degree
54N 499E Pre Monsoon Post
8 10.45 79.51 monsoon monsoon
54N 40E 1 2 2 3 2.5
9 10.45 79.51 2 2 2 3 2
53N 40E 3 1.9 2 3 3.5
10 10.45 79.51 4 3.5 3 4 3
53N 40E 5 Inside jetty Inside jetty Inside jetty Inside jetty
6 Inside jetty Inside jetty Inside jetty Inside jetty
7 3 3 3 2.5
8 1.5 1 3 2.5
9 1.5 1 4 3
10 4 3.5 5 4

WATER QUALITY RECORDED DURING MONSOON, PREMONSOON

AND POST MONSOON
Temperature in (°C) pH
Stations Pre Monsoon Post Stations
monsoon Monsoon Pre Monsoon Post
1 25 26.5 26 29 monsoon Monsoon
2 25 26.5 26 29 1 7.91 7.98 7.46 8.08
3 25 26.5 26 29 2 7.52 7.99 7.5 8.07
4 25 26.5 26 29 3 7.89 7.96 7.65 8.1
5 25 26.5 26 29 4 7.94 7.86 7.7 8.08
5 7.54 7.78 7.53 8.04
6 25 26.5 26 29
6 7.47 7.79 7.61 8.09
7 25 26.5 26 29 7 7.7 7.71 7.8 8.07
8 25 26.5 26 29 8 7.8 7.75 7.73 8.06
9 25 26.5 26 29 9 7.9 7.8 7.66 8.06
10 25 26.5 26 29 10 7.94 7.89 7.81 8.08
 Total dissolved solids in mg/l Total suspended solids in mg/l
Stations Stations
Premon Monsoon Post Pre Monsoon Post
soon Monsoon monsoon Monsoon
1 31.60 32.59 25.5 60.0 1 1.51 2.67 1.55 3.54
2 34.12 36.32 27.50 70.31 2 6.23 15.33 1.77 1.74
3 25.36 28.01 57.45 24.13 3 3.24 6.46 13.65 27.32
4 36.46 38.54 24.59 46.59 4 2.56 5.11 23.48 9.35
5 5.79 6.77 30.83 21.04 5 0.43 0.65 23.1 7.05
6 3.49 3.56 52.28 47.44 6 0.03 0.06 5.01 1.60
7 45.50 4.89 49.76 66.00 7 6.64 13.13 5.80 2.31
8 45.39 55.81 23.36 49.58 8 1.44 1.67 19.86 15.80
9 44.67 49.76 57.36 60.30 9 4.99 5.01 14.71 2.69
10 37.74 38.84 57.84 58.38 10 6.67 12.47 0.98 7.44

Salinity in( mg/l) Dissolved oxygen in mg/l

Stations Stations
Pre Monsoon Post Pre Monsoon Post
monsoon Monsoon monsoon Monsoon
1 25.12 28.61 34.80 29.15 1 7.50 8.45 6.84 8.05
2 35.30 38.12 23.32 28.70 2 7.50 8.05 7.65 8.05
3 30.61 38.79 36.33 58.84 3 8.15 8.45 7.65 8.05
4 36.71 47.90 34.53 30.59 4 8.20 8.05 8.05 8.05
5 15.49 16.59 33.46 30.86 5 6.99 6.84 6.84 8.05
6 15.38 16.41 33.82 21.53 6 7.40 7.65 7.65 8.05
7 47.63 50.05 39.83 40.45 7 7.96 8.45 7.24 8.45
8 48.86 50.05 27.54 27.80 8 7.98 7.65 7.65 8.45
9 49.36 51.85 27.63 18.74 9 8.17 8.45 7.65 8.45
10 48.95 52.47 22.87 26.91 10 7.13 7.24 8.05 8.45

Biochemical Oxygen Demand in mg/l Sulphates in mg/l

Stations
Pre Monsoon Post Monsoon
Stations Pre Monsoon Post
monsoon
monsoon Monsoon
1 1771.64 1786.733 2021.699 1593.328
1 150.11 295.2 211.29 181.17 2 1765.35 1779.737 2037.570 2303.165
2 130.62 227.85 338.37 193.26 3 1650.21 1706.902 2092.477 2350.488
3 254.35 469.65 223.51 241.71 4 1569.36 1622.544 1970.673 2338.966
4 126.40 226.95 223.59 108.48 5 325.34 337.430 1938.988 2023.757
5 137.15 228.00 132.81 108.73 6 399.930 404.916 489.273 2089.597
6 55.10 68.10 102.63 48.30 7 1589.13 1666.163 1850.575 2057.490
7 210.46 414.90 156.24 314.13 8 1599.84 1611.845 2201.936 2290.650
8 235.57 482.86 301.65 362.46 9 1458.36 1568.638 1170.717 2245.450
9 264.39 Nitrite in258.61
414.90 mg/l 169.38 10 1810.07 1820.064
Nitrate in 2004.416
mg/l 2226.710
Stations
10 99.67 106.20 Monsoon
214.17 241.71 Stations
Pre Post Pre Monsoon Post
monsoon Monsoon monsoon Monsoon
1 0.01 0.02 0.15 0.25 1 28 29 33 37
2 0.02 0.01 0.15 0.25 2 30 32 35 41
3 0.01 0.01 0.10 0.35 3 32 34 38 45
4 0.01 0.03 0.10 0.35 4 34 37 40 49
5 0.03 0.02 0.20 0.40 5 27 29 36 45
6 0.01 0.02 0.20 0.40 6 28 29 36 45
7 0.03 0.04 0.25 0.50 7 35 40 55 60
8 0.03 0.04 0.30 0.50 8 44 47 64 72
9 0.04 0.05 0.35 0.55 9 49 52 71 77
10 0.04 0.05 0.35 0.55 10 51 61 75 79
 Ammonia in mg/l Phosphate in mg/l
Stations Stations
Pre Monsoon Post Pre Monsoon Post
monsoon Monsoon monsoon Monsoon
1 0.80 0.95 1.00 2.15 1 0.44 0.55 0.56 1.40
2 0.85 0.96 1.30 2.20 2 0.50 0.57 0.55 1.41
3 0.79 0.84 1.32 2.35 3 0.52 0.65 0.59 1.43
4 0.80 0.83 1.35 3.15 4 0.60 0.70 0.68 1.38
5 0.75 0.90 1.37 3.60 5 0.75 0.85 0.72 1.20
6 0.85 0.90 1.38 3.61 6 0.73 0.85 0.72 1.20
7 0.88 0.92 1.45 3.65 7 0.72 1.32 1.20 1.25
8 0.87 0.93 1.50 3.67 8 0.90 1.41 1.35 1.26
9 0.91 0.95 1.55 3.69 9 0.99 1.50 1.30 1.30
10 0.89 0.95 1.00 3.70 10 1.00 1.55 1.42 1.33
SIEVE ANALYSIS

CUMULATIVE % OF SAMPLES RECORDED DURING MONSOON

AND POSTMONSOON

Sieve Size Cumulative % of sample I Sieve Size Cumulative % of sample II

Sieve Size Monsoon% of sample III
Cumulative Post Monsoon Post
Sieve Size Cumulative % of sample IV
Monsoon monsoon
Post monsoon
4.78 0 0 0
monsoon Monsoon Post
4.78 0 0 0
2.38
4.78 00 0 0 monsoon
2.38 0 0 0
2.38
1.410 00 00 0 4.78 0 0 0
1.410 0 0 0
1.410
0.710 0
0.2 0
1.1 0
1.3 2.38 0 0 0
0.710 0.2 0.6 0.4
0.710
0.50 0.1
0.5 1.1
3.7 1.4
3.8 1.410 0 0 0
0.50 0.4 1.2 1.5
0.50 0.25 3.7 3.4 0.710 0.5 0.3 0.6
0.211 73.5 89.3 89.0 0.211 91.7 92.6 93.9
0.211 92.25 89.3 96.6 0.50 0.95 0.8 1.2
0.075Size Cumulative
Sieve Size
Sieve 99.3 % of99.9 VII 99.9 0.075 99.8 99.9 99.9
0.075 99.98 Cumulative sample
99.9 % of sample VIII
99.8 0.211
pan
87.45
100
78.6
100 100
96.3
pan 100
Monsoon 100
Monsoon Post100 0.075 99.8 99.9 99.9
pan 100 100 100 Post
monsoon monsoon pan 100 100 100
4.78 4.78 0 0 0 0 0 0
2.38 2.38 0 0 0 0 0 0
1.410 1.410 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.710 0.710 0.125 0.25 0.5 0.1 0.5 37.1
0.50 0.50 2.85 0.5 1.5 2.6 1.4 91.7
0.211 0.211 96.17 94.25 95.8 95.1 95.9 99.3
0.075 0.075 99.8 99.8 99.9 99.9 99.9 99.8
pan pan 100 100 100 100 100 100

Sieve Size Cumulative % of sample IX Sieve Size Cumulative % of sample X

Monsoon Post Monsoon Post
monsoon monsoon
4.78 0 0 0 4.78 0 0 0
2.38 0 0 0 2.38 0 0 0
1.410 0 0 0 1.410 0 0.5 0
0.710 0.25 0.5 1.7 0.710 0.15 2.2 1.0
0.50 2.9 0.1 15.7 0.50 0.3 4.0 3.0
0.211 96.25 90.2 95.7 0.211 90.35 85.4 93.0
0.075 99.9 99.8 99.9 0.075 99.8 99.7 100
pan 100 100 100 pan 100 100 -
Location Sediment Source Parameter Inference

S1 S2 S3 S4 S7 S8 S9 S10
S1 F F F F F F F Mean
B B P B B P B Sorting S1 S4,
+ + - - - - - Skew ness S9
S2 C C F F F F F Mean
P P P P P P P Sorting S2 S1
- S - - - - - Skew ness S4,S7,S8,S9,
S10,
S3 C F F F F F F Mean S3 S1
P B P P P P B Sorting S7 ,S4, S9,S8
- S - - - - - Skew ness
S4 C C C F F S S Mean
B B B B B B B Sorting
+ + + - + + - Skew ness
S7 C C C C C C C Mean
P B B P B P B Sorting S7 S1
+ + - + - + + Skew ness S4, S9,
S8 C C C C F C C Mean
P B B P B P B Sorting S8 S1
+ + + + + + + Skew ness S4, S9
S9 C C C S F F S Mean
B B B P B B B Sorting
+ + + - - - - Skew ness
S10 C C C S F F S Mean S10 S1
P P P P P P P Sorting S2 ,S3, S7,S8
+ + + + - - + Skew ness
The result of this trend show that predominant direction of the sediment transport during
the monsoon is from north to south. And is reversed during premonsoon, post monsoon.
Major source for sediment locations is observed from this is S3, S10.

Sl.No Period Major Source Major Sink

1 Premonsoon S9 ,S3, S10, S2 ,S1

2 Monsoon S1 ,S2, S3,S8, S10 S9
3 Post monsoon S3 ,S9, S10 S7 ,S10,

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

  In the present study, shoreline changes were determined, beach slope was observed from
the 8 stations during three seasons, identified as monsoon and post monsoon is greater
than premonsoon.This trend shows that the beach is continuously eroded.
 The result of this sediment transport was observed during monsoon is from north to
south. and is reversed during other season major sediment locations is observed from this
study is station 3and station 10.
 The water quality parameters were analyzed and compared with 3seasons most of
parameters increased during post monsoon.
 As per water quality data during the seasonal variations it come under SW-IIclass
(mariculture,shell fishing, saltpans)

REFERENCES

 A.Surendran,”Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Chennai Harbour Area Management.

 V.Rajagopalan “Shore Line Dynamics of Dhanushkodi , Rameswaram using GIS”.
R.Selvavinayagam,” Application of Remote Sensing and GIS for Tuticorin Coastal and Harbour
Environment Managemen4 Sediment Trend Matrix
 t.