SSC Analysis of South Maharashtra Coast: A Case Study from Vengurla Coastal Region

Suspended sediment transport plays a major role in many coastal, estuarine and offshore engineering applications. The transport of suspended sediment influences the constructions of harbours, constructions of coastal power stations and refineries, safety of offshore platforms and pipelines, erosion and accretion of beaches, quality of the water and many other applications. To understand the suspended sediment transport pattern along South Maharashtra coastal region, a case study was conducted at Vengurla coastal waters. In order to do that, the sea water samples at 6 transects (18 stations) were collected for analysis of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The results showed that during post monsoon, the SSC pattern at surface, mid and bottom layers having 10-20 mg/l, 10-19 mg/l and 50-60 mg/l respectively. But during the pre-monsoon, the respective layers show 5-20 mg/l, 4-15 mg/l and 70 mg/l of SSC concentration. In addition, Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) satellite images were analyzed in the same study area to know the SSC distribution pattern. In Vengurla, post-monsoon, the SSC values of surface coastal waters ranging from 5-15 mg/l from OCM satellite images and also SSC is compared with OBS 5+ profiles. In this paper, the SSC distribution pattern of both seasons is narrated and the validations of SSC using OCM satellite data are also discussed.