Mpenjati Physical Components
BIOL 231 – Marine Environment
Title
An integrated study of the Mpenjati Estuary-Beach System. (Physical Component)
Kutlo Thathe
University Road
Westville
Private Bag X 5600
Durban
4000
210551705@stu.ukzn.ac.za
Abstract
This study was conducted at the Mpenjati Estaury which is located in Port Shepstone and lies along the south coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of water which is either permanently or periodically open to the sea and within which there is measurable variation salinity due to the mixture of fresh water derived from land, however the fresh water inflow may not be perennial, the connection to the sea may be closed for part of the year and tidal influence may be negligible. The beach slope and the flow rate relatively depend on several factors but mainly the wave action and the sediment transportation, as these two factors controls the activities at the mouth of an estuary The focus of the research was to measure the topology of the beach using the Emery Board method and examine the relationship between the beach profile and sediment. Furthermore, the research was to analyze the statistical structure of the natural stream flow into the estuary using flow-duration analysis in relation to monthly dynamics. The changes in elevation were observed, recorded and analyzed. While simultaneously recording the sediment size found at each elevation point, which the results and discussion form part of this report.
Introduction
Estuaries are dynamic systems where both hydrodynamics and geomorphology changes throughout the year. They are partially enclosed coastal body of water which is either permanently or periodically open to the sea and within which there is measurable variation of salinity due to the mixture of seawater with freshwater derived from land drainage (Day, 1981). Estuaries are productive and very interesting natural environments, in which fresh water from a river mixes with the salt water of the
Title
An integrated study of the Mpenjati Estuary-Beach System. (Physical Component)
Kutlo Thathe
University Road
Westville
Private Bag X 5600
Durban
4000
210551705@stu.ukzn.ac.za
Abstract
This study was conducted at the Mpenjati Estaury which is located in Port Shepstone and lies along the south coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of water which is either permanently or periodically open to the sea and within which there is measurable variation salinity due to the mixture of fresh water derived from land, however the fresh water inflow may not be perennial, the connection to the sea may be closed for part of the year and tidal influence may be negligible. The beach slope and the flow rate relatively depend on several factors but mainly the wave action and the sediment transportation, as these two factors controls the activities at the mouth of an estuary The focus of the research was to measure the topology of the beach using the Emery Board method and examine the relationship between the beach profile and sediment. Furthermore, the research was to analyze the statistical structure of the natural stream flow into the estuary using flow-duration analysis in relation to monthly dynamics. The changes in elevation were observed, recorded and analyzed. While simultaneously recording the sediment size found at each elevation point, which the results and discussion form part of this report.
Introduction
Estuaries are dynamic systems where both hydrodynamics and geomorphology changes throughout the year. They are partially enclosed coastal body of water which is either permanently or periodically open to the sea and within which there is measurable variation of salinity due to the mixture of seawater with freshwater derived from land drainage (Day, 1981). Estuaries are productive and very interesting natural environments, in which fresh water from a river mixes with the salt water of the
References: Walter Hans Graf W.H., 1984. Hydraulics of sediment transport Water Resources Publication. 513 pages. Allonson B.R., 1999. Estuaries of South Africa. Cambridge University Press. 340 pages Froneman HS(2002a,2002b).Marine Pollution Schwartz M.L. 2005. Encyclopedia of coastal Sciences. Published by springer 16 June 2005. Cooper J.A. G., 2001. Geomorphological variability among microtidal estuaries from wave dominated South African coast. Vol 40, 1-2. Kibirige I and Perissinotto R Levin A.L, Boesch D.F and Covich B.A. (2001) The function of marine critical transition zone and the importance of sediment biodiversity. Vol 4, 5. Appendix