Seafloor morphology and sedimentological characteristics of the Kuala Terengganu nearshore area

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.