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Abstract

Studies on sediment movement on tropical sandy beaches of the south east coast of Nigeria were carried out to understand the dynamics and pattern of sedimentation at Ibeno and Okorutip beaches adjoining Qua-Iboe River Estuary in AkwaIbom State. The beaches are genetically characterised by a very fine grained, well to very well sorted sediments which fluctuated around symmetry in skewness and varied in kurtosis from very platy-kurtic to very leptokurtic. Results of shoreline mapping and beach profile surveys showed no significant relationship and correlation with the alongshore variations in grain size parameters and the erosion arcs/areas on the beaches. Moreover, the backshore sedimentary facies were morphologically stable at the beaches due to less tidal inundation and the presence of scanty vegetation. Okorutip beach revealed a stable upper foreshore and a trough-like dynamic mid-foreshore which was facilitated by an edge wave during mid-flood tide, starved in sediment and sheltered from direct and intense wave impacts by an elevated lower foreshore which morphologically developed into offshore sand bar. On the other hand, a seaward trend of sediment movement pattern from backshore-upper foreshore to a depositional mid- and lower foreshore were evident at Ibeno beach. The morphologic mobility in respect of sediment and depositional dynamics correlated strongly with an increase in tidal influence during the accelerated phase of neap-spring tidal cycle at Ibeno than at Okorutip beach. The accretion at the former was attributed to sediment loss from the latter through the estuary and the ebb-tidal delta.

Biography

Saviour P Udo-Akuaibit has a Master of Science Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He had a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Coastal Zone Management from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He is a Registered Environmental Specialist, National Registry of Environmental Professionals, USA, and a holder of NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, United Kingdom. He has more than eleven scientific papers in reputable local and international journals. He is the pioneer Editorin- Chief of the Natural Environment Magazine- a publication of graduate students of Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.