Abstract This paper explores spatiotemporal changes in the morphodynamic processes in and around the tropical Mulki estuarine mouth on India's Central West Coast. It employs multi-data satellite imagery spanning decades, and seasonal variations in foreshore morphology and sediment characteristics around the river mouth, flanked by paired spits. Analysis from 1965 to 2010 reveals that the northern spit extended 590 m southward, while the southern spit receded by 600 m, indicating northward sediment displacement and southward river mouth shift. The foreshore maintains an intermediate to dissipative state year-round, with monsoonal erosion and post-monsoonal accretion. Sediments on the beach are mostly unimodal, medium to fine-grained, and moderately well-sorted, suggesting winnowing action under moderate wave energy. Foreshore sand’s kurtosis varies significantly on the northern side, indicating sediment transport from south to northward. Seasonal changes in sediment storage and texture imply approximately 30% of sediments finer than 1.8ф are vulnerable, influencing foreshore dynamics. Pumping coarser than 1.8ф sediments onto the southern side could stabilize the foreshore, cautioning against dumping dredged sediments on the backshore of the northern spit. Research highlights <UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> The paper incorporates changes in estuarine configuration based on multi-date image analysis integrated with seasonal changes in shore face modification and sediment characteristics. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Identifies the zone of sediment sink and site. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Integration of the profile changes and sediment texture revealed that 30% of the sediments finer than 1.8ф are either eroded or deposited. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> For beach nourishments and numerical modeling of sediment transport, the above size grade is the key issue. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Such issues especially for the mesotidal tropical coasts are not discussed, and hence important for coastal geomorphologis working in tropical coasts. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

Sedimentation and meso-scale foreshore dynamics in the vicinity of a tropical estuary mouth, Central West Coast of India: Implications for shoreline management

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月17日

查看全文

G Shalini,
V S Hegde

摘要

Abstract

This paper explores spatiotemporal changes in the morphodynamic processes in and around the tropical Mulki estuarine mouth on India's Central West Coast. It employs multi-data satellite imagery spanning decades, and seasonal variations in foreshore morphology and sediment characteristics around the river mouth, flanked by paired spits. Analysis from 1965 to 2010 reveals that the northern spit extended 590 m southward, while the southern spit receded by 600 m, indicating northward sediment displacement and southward river mouth shift. The foreshore maintains an intermediate to dissipative state year-round, with monsoonal erosion and post-monsoonal accretion. Sediments on the beach are mostly unimodal, medium to fine-grained, and moderately well-sorted, suggesting winnowing action under moderate wave energy. Foreshore sand’s kurtosis varies significantly on the northern side, indicating sediment transport from south to northward. Seasonal changes in sediment storage and texture imply approximately 30% of sediments finer than 1.8ф are vulnerable, influencing foreshore dynamics. Pumping coarser than 1.8ф sediments onto the southern side could stabilize the foreshore, cautioning against dumping dredged sediments on the backshore of the northern spit.

Research highlights

The paper incorporates changes in estuarine configuration based on multi-date image analysis integrated with seasonal changes in shore face modification and sediment characteristics.

Identifies the zone of sediment sink and site.

Integration of the profile changes and sediment texture revealed that 30% of the sediments finer than 1.8ф are either eroded or deposited.

For beach nourishments and numerical modeling of sediment transport, the above size grade is the key issue.

Such issues especially for the mesotidal tropical coasts are not discussed, and hence important for coastal geomorphologis working in tropical coasts.