Abstract:
The Kuala Terengganu nearshore area has been studied in order to gain
insight of the seafloor bathymetry dynamics. The seabed profile, textural
properties and depositional process of the surface sediment were determined
during pre- and post-Northeast monsoon periods at three distinct
environments. The seabed is heavily influenced by the Northeast monsoon
season which alters the profile gradients and induces accretion and erosion
at several parts of the nearshore. Meanwhile, grain size trend analysis of the
grain size distribution of the nearshore seafloor sediments at these various
sites show varied nature in their mean grain size as well as values of sorting
and skewness. Based on this evidence, the statistical parameters of grain
size distributions thus allowed recognition of dissimilar environments.
Furthermore, grain size trend analysis also shows that the grain size
distribution was significantly affected by the monsoon season which is characterized by strong winds, huge waves and heavy rainfall. The monsoon
increases the dynamism, thus inducing greater sediment movement and
profile modification in the nearshore. During the post-Northeast monsoon,
the sediments were coarser after facing higher amplitude of forces such as
waves and currents. The beach sediment was eroded for the duration of this
season and transported seaward. Sediments were better sorted and
seaward-fining textural gradient were obvious. In general, transportation
and deposition of sediment suggest that sediment characteristics at each
environment are reflected by the difference in energy condition (waves,
currents and wind action) of
the coastal environment.
