Impact of Sultan Mahmud airport development to the coast

Abstract

Nowadays, development in the coastal area become popular and it is the focus of considerable research activity by both natural scientist and planner. This study was conducted to determine the impact due to the airport pathways development to the coast also to determine the grain size distribution and net shore drift direction in the vicinity of Kuala Terengganu airport coastline. Impact of airport pathways development can be determined by grain size analysis, beach profile measurement and net shore drift direction. Throughout this study, process that might occur on shore whether erosion or accretion also can be defined. Erosion and accretion occurred due to natural factors such as physical forces (wind, rainfall, tides, and wave) and man-made factor (breakwater, jetty, and groin). Structures constructed on the shore which is perpendicular to the shore can block and disturb the direction net shore drift. This situation can cause erosion on the one side of structure and accretion on the other side. From the study, Tok Jembal Beach (station 1 until 4) is facing erosion and Teluk Ketapang Beach (station 7 until 9) is under accretion condition. This is proven by beach profile data and grain size distribution on the sampling site which is coarse (mean value: Sl ) and steeper (beach slope : > 10 ° ) than Teluk Ketapang Beach. Besides that, the erosion becomes worse especially on monsoon season when the damage of roadways and loss of vegetation by waves.