Suspended sediment dynamics regulated by the macrotidal regime: evidences from the OCM P-4 data

Abstract

The understanding of the dynamics of suspended matter is crucial for coastal engineering projects and for food web in the coastal environment. The turbidity determines also optical properties of the waters, and is crucial for the coral reef system. Gulf of Kachchh is one of the macrotidal sites of India with occurrence of numerous harbors and an ecologically fragile coral reef system. The macrotidal gulf has high magnitude currents which amplify inland with tide into the gulf. A sequential analysis of imageries of the Ocean Color Monitor of IRS P-4, during different tidal phases reveals that there is a large variation in the TSM contents of the gulf associated with tidal cycle. The suspended matter dispersal under different tidal phases in the gulf is evaluated. The source to sink pathways of the suspended matter into different regions of the gulf, specifically in the vicinity of the National Marine Park, are determined which is important for restoring the stressed coral reefs.