Shoreline or coastline, the boundary concerning land and sea retains transforming its shape and posture consistently due to dynamic environmental conditions. The transform in shoreline is predominantly linked with waves, tides, winds, periodic storms, sealevel modify, the geomorphic processes of erosion and accretion and human actions. Shoreline also depicts the modern formations and destructions that have happened along the shore. Waves alter the coastline morphology and kinds the exclusive coastal landforms. The unfastened granular sediments consistently reply to the ever-transforming waves and currents. The seaside profile is significant, in that it can be seen as an effective pure mechanism, which leads to waves to break and dissipate their electricity. When breakwaters are made, they upset the pure equilibrium concerning the sources of beach sediment and the littoral drift sample. In response, shoreline adjustments its configuration in attempt to get to a new equilibrium (Ramesh and Ramachandran 2001). Monitoring modifications in shoreline will help to recognize the character and procedures that induced these alterations in any distinct space, to evaluate the human impact and to prepare administration tactics. Remote sensing facts could be used successfully to keep track of the changes together the coastal zone such as shoreline with sensible precision. Distant sensing details allows and / or replaces the typical survey by its repetitive and less cost-success. Therefore, in buy to study the coastal procedures in Tuticorin coastal spot, the shoreline modify, wave action, bathymetry and coastal geomorphology had been analyzed applying Distant Sensing and GIS equipment.

Study space

Tuticorin coastline has a key port and it is a swiftly developing space. The research place falls in the latitudinal and longitudinal extensions of 8° 40′ – 8° 55′ N and 78° 0′ – 78° 15′ E on the Tamil Nadu, East Coastline of India (fig 1). Major Industries this kind of as Southern Petrochemical Industrial Corporation, Thermal Electrical power Plant, Tuticorin Alkali Substances and Significant Water Plant are also current in this place. Because of to the accelerated progress things to do the coastal region working experience sizeable variations.

Tuticorin was a centre of maritime trade and pearl fishery for far more than 2000 a long time. To cope with growing trade as a result of Tuticorin, the governing administration of India sanctioned the construction of an all weather port at Tuticorin. On eleven-seven-1974, the freshly created Tuticorin port was declared as the tenth main port. On one-4-1979, the erstwhile Tuticorin minimal port and the recently produced Tuticorin significant port ended up merged and the Tuticorin Port Have confidence in was constituted beneath the major port trusts act, 1963.

Methodology

Geomorphology

Geocoded IRS LISS III May perhaps 2002 imagery was applied to prepare coastal geomorphology map adopting visual interpretation system. In the existing examine, the classification program formulated by the Place Application Middle, Ahmedabad for the nation extensive coastal geomorphic mapping was adopted for the research (SAC 1991).

Shoreline transform

Study of India toposheets No. L1 & L5 of (1969) (lat: 8° forty ‘- 8° 55′, very long: 78° 0′ – 78° 15’ Scale one:fifty,000) had been applied as a base map. GPS was digitized, edited, geometrically projected and reworked by means of ARC Info to maintain authentic planet coordinates. To eradicate the outcome of tidal influence in shoreline modify examine, lower tide satellite information had been made use of. SOI toposheets 1969, Landsat 5 TM May well 1993, IRS P2 LISS II May perhaps 1996 and IRS 1C LISS III May well 2002 satellite knowledge ended up made use of to evaluate the variations in shoreline for 33 years period from 1969 to 2002. Raster info procured by means of satellites have been geometrically corrected working with the Survey of India toposheet as a foundation. A lot more than 25 ground regulate details were taken and the Root Suggest Square (RMS) mistake for geometric correction is .002. Band 1 of IRS P2 LISS II 1996, band five of LANDSAT five TM 1993 and band 3 of IRS 1C LISS III 2002 were being utilised. These different bands were made use of based mostly on their distinction between land and ocean. In these bands the facts content material is additional in land as in contrast to water. The Landsat five TM 1993, IRS P2 1996 and IRS 1C LISS III 2002 information ended up vectorised by adopting onscreen digitization approach with one pixel zoom degree making use of ERDAS envision 8.four program. The vector levels of the shoreline received as a result of on monitor digitization in ERDAS think about and vectorisation by means of ArcInfo ended up imported as Arc coverage for the earlier mentioned 4 information sets. Just about every of the details sets had a polygon ID one for Land space and two for Ocean. The shoreline attained from Study of India toposheet of 1969 and the shoreline demarcated by the satellite info of Landsat 5 TM 1993, IRS P2 1996, and IRS 1C 2002 were being retained in distinctive coverage in the exact projection and map coordinates. These 4 coverages were overlaid through Arc information GIS. Shoreline improve map of 1969 to 1993, 1993 to 1996 and 1996 to 2002 were created. The resolution differs for various satellite details goods. For LANDSAT 5 TM, IRS P2 and IRS 1C resolutions have been 30m, seventy three.5m and 23.5m respectively. However there is resolution variance, edge detection strategy provides a distinct demarcation of land and drinking water boundary. The shoreline features were being brought to Arcview GIS for more querying and evaluation.

Wave pattern recognition

Distant Sensing is turning out to be a key software in pinpointing the coastal procedures spatially. Infrared band presents the most data on ocean parameters, so band 3 of IRS P2 1996, band 2 of IRS 1C of 2001 and band 2 of IRS 1C 2002 have been utilized for the identification of wave patterns. Noise reduction method is applied to the IRS P2 May perhaps 1996, IRS 1C Could 2001 and IRS 1C May possibly 2002 facts for enhancing the image. Convolution filtering strategy with 3*3 kernel edge detect is used to IRS P2 May possibly 1996, IRS 1C May well 2001 and IRS 1C May perhaps 2002 for maximizing the wave traits for interpretation.

Coastal Bathymetry

For coastal bathymetry experiments Naval Hydrographic Organisation (NHO) chart 1999 is interpolated, interpreted and analysed utilizing Arcinfo and Arcview GIS. The NHO chart quantity is 2075, scale is one:50000 and the density of spot soundings is 4 for each sq.km. This chart was surveyed in 1975-1976, in transverse mercator projection, current in 1999 and the tidal degrees referred to datum of soundings is Lat 8° 48′ and Lengthy 78° 10′ and the heights in meters higher than datum is MHWS one., MHWN .seven, MLWN 05, MLWS 03 and MSL .6 respectively. TIN interpolation approach is adopted for spatial interpolation and DEM generation. Zero is defined as datum or the reference to which the depth is measured. Representation of the seabed in this design is in the sort of elevation matrix formed by overlaying a square grid mesh above the area and recording the elevation worth for each individual grid cell. The mobile values are arranged in matrix sort exactly where the row and column numbers imply the x-y co-ordinate of the mobile respectively. The elevation matrix is generated by interpolation from irregularly spaced bathymetric facts details about a contour map. The three dimensional view and the slope of bathymetry is derived by making use of TIN spatial analysis design making use of Arc Perspective three.2a program.

Benefits and Discussion

Coastal Geomorphology

Sandy beach front

Sandy beach locations are the product of waves interacting with a sandy beach front at the shoreline. The sandy beaches are extensively formulated alongside the overall coastline of research area besides at some locations. Tuticorin is covered by extended and substantial sandy seashore. It traits in north-south route. Very well designed sandy seaside is identified beneath south harbour breakwater. This beach front is dominated by an admixture of quartz, feldspars and mica minerals. The seashore is discovered as thick white patch at south of south harbour breakwater in satellite imagery (fig.two).

Spits

A spit is a little place of lower tongue or narrow bankment, generally consisting of sand or gravel deposited by a extensive-shore drifting and obtaining one finish attached to the mainland and other terminating in the open sea. It is discovered in white patch in satellite imagery (fig.2). Two spit formations have been observed in south of the urban coast. Ordinarily the formation of spit has been attributed to the motion and deposition of products by extended shore current (Thornbury 1969). Spit signifies seaward progradation (Loveson and Rajamanickam 1987). The spit near Tuticorin is .seventy five to two km extensive and tongue formed. Tuticorin spit has resulted by very long shore currents for the duration of monsoon and the sediments discharged by Tamiraparani River.

Seaside ridges

Seaside ridges are reasonably undulating terrain functions of maritime depositional style, fashioned during pliestocene to the latest age, in the plains of the review place. They are reduced, primarily steady seaside or seashore dune materials (sand, gravel and shingle) heaped up by the motion of wave and currents on the backshore of a beach front beyond the present restrict of storm waves or the reach of standard tides, and taking place as a single or as a single of a sequence of roughly parallel deposits (Chockalingam 1993). The beach front ridges have been identified as symbolizing successive however-stand placement of sea of an advancing shoreline from satellite imagery. Beach ridges of Tuticorin are extremely reworked.

Mudflat

Mudflat is a flat area containing a fluid to plastic combination of finely derived particles of good substance primarily silt and clay drinking water. They are generally related with silted environments like lagoons, estuaries and other embankments. Mudflats are formed by the deposition of fine inorganic materials and natural and organic particles in particulate sort. Mud flats are large expenditure of deposit of clay, silt, ooze, etc (Davies 1972). Mudflats are properly made at the river mouth of Koramballam Oodai, an estuarine atmosphere. They surface as darkish black tone in satellite imagery .

Dune elaborate

Dune complex is an vital geomorphic device comprising of active and unfastened sediment heaps with negligible amount of vegetation. In this zone, the aeolian activity is reportedly high resulting in migration without a important change in their styles. It indicates the age of late Pliestocene to Modern (Loveson 1993). Tuticorin is located in dune advanced .
Teri dune intricate

Teri dune complicated is an undulating terrain possessing unfastened heaps of purple shade sand and silt dust of aeolian origin. They stand for Pliestocene to Latest age of formation (Loveson 1993 Loveson et. al. 1990). They appeared as spherical to oval formed mounts with dense vegetation. It is assumed that the fierce and continuous winds of south west monsoon by sweeping up extensive clouds of dust from the dry floor of the crimson loam, uncovered at the base of the hills will have to have introduced and deposited their load of sediments around the coastline around the basic to variety Teri dune complex (Ahmad 1972). All dune complexes in this spot are trending in the northeast to southeast path. In latest several years, these Teri dune complexes are being utilized for cultivation also. It is discovered in greenish yellow color in satellite imagery.

Shoreline alter

Shoreline is a single of the crucial dynamic coastal characteristics in which the land, air and sea satisfy. In any open up coastline, when artifical buildings these kinds of as harbour or breakwaters interfere with the littoral currents shoreline improvements greatly. Chauhan and Nayak (1995) have studied the shoreline changes applying the satellite details masking lower tide period. Through the low tide problem, highest land is uncovered and even low drinking water line / land h2o boundary and higher water line are distinctly seen. This allows improved mapping of the shoreline. The demarcation and the areal extent of the websites of erosion and accretion are queried and estimated through Arc Watch GIS package deal (fig. three). The whole areas of erosion all through the intervals 1969 to 1993, 1993 to 1996 and 1996 to 2002 are specified in desk 1. It was observed that throughout 1969 to 1993 the erosion along the shoreline of Tuticorin region was nine ha. Throughout the interval of 1993 to 1996 it was fourteen ha and in the interval 1996 to 2002 it was eighteen ha. Most of the erosion was noticed in sand spit, Hare Island and at city coast (fig. three). The total locations of accretion through the periods 1969 to 1993, 1993 to 1996 and 1996 to 2002 are specified in table two. The accretion through the unique intervals have been 138 ha (1969 to 1993),

eighteen ha (1993 to 1996) and 23 ha (1996 to 2002) (fig. three). Given that accretion was extra than the erosion, the overall shoreline could be deemed as the shore of progradation. Rajamanickam (1991) noticed the features of emergence and submergence respectively together the southern parts of Tamilnadu. He also suggested upwarping together Tuticorin place.

For analyzing the shoreline alter in the review location, specific internet sites these as south harbour breakwater, Hare Island, sand spit and city coastline were being analyzed for erosion and accretion. City coastline is the shoreline of the city place. It is demarcated and proven in the figure 3. The areal extent of erosion and accretion noticed in the abovesaid locations are presented in Desk three and four. Both equally erosion and accretion things ended up avoided in estuarine natural environment considering that demarcation of shoreline is not correctly feasible in estuarine setting because this space is very dynamic.

In sand spit (fig. 4 & five), through 1969 to 1993 erosion was 4 ha and the accretion was 7 ha, for the duration of 1993 to 1996 erosion was four ha and accretion was three ha and in the course of 1996 to 2002 erosion was 5 ha. and accretion was two ha (Table three & four). In sand spit the erosion is recognized at wave exposed aspect and accretion is seen at leeward facet of the spit. This may perhaps be due to the transport of eroded sediments from the wave exposed facet to the leeward aspect of the spit.

Tombalo framework formation is discovered in concerning Tuticorin mainland and Hare Island
(fig. 2). This is owing to longshore sedimentation from south to north ensuing in the Hare Island and the mainland to connection. It took geological several years to link the mainland and Hare Island. In Hare Island (fig. four & 5), all through the time period of 1969 to 1993 erosion was four ha, throughout 1993 to 1996 erosion was six ha and through 1996 to 2002 erosion was 6 ha (Desk three). There is no accretion action observed in Hare Island.

In South harbour breakwater (fig. four & five), through the time period of 1969 to 1993 accretion was 81 ha, throughout 1993 to 1996 accretion was eight ha and throughout 1996 to 2002 accretion was 18 ha. There is no erosion observed (Desk 4). The accretion listed here can take area in curvilinear manner. Accretion in curvilinear manner alongside the shoreline final results in a development of beach and related paleo beach front ridges had been found apart from the beach. The curvilinear formation of this paleo beach front ridges is termed geomorphologically as strandlines.

At urban coastline (Fig. four & five), erosion was one ha and accretion was 15 ha throughout 1969 to 1993, erosion was 3 ha and accretion was 6 ha from 1993 to 1996, and the erosion was 3 ha and accretion was 3 ha for the period of time 1996 to 2002. The observation shows that the erosion is lower and accretion is higher in this site (Desk three & four). It is also noticed that there is not much shoreline modify in the urban atmosphere. Loveson and Rajamanickam (1987 and 1988a) and Loveson et al (1990) have also described the modifications in shoreline of south Indian coast dependent on deposition of landforms like beach front ridges, prevalence of backwater zone and many others., as a result of distant sensing centered geomorphological interpretation. Loveson and Rajamanickam (1988b) have also pointed out the achievable tumble of sea degree in Tuticorin coastline because of to neotectonic emerging of the seafloor. The prevailing winds observed at Tuticorin spot have been utmost at North West, North East and North directions respectively. Prevailing winds were being also observed at South West, South and South East instructions but the vast majority of the months practical experience NW, NE and N winds only. The wind velocity ranges from 9-sixteen km/hr.