Examining The Temporal Behavior of Swash and Backwash Waves on Shorelines of Some Selected Settlements in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

: This research is aimed at examining the temporal behavior of swash and backwash on shorelines in some selected settlements in Bayelsa State in order to promote a better understanding of the causes and impact of shoreline changes on settlements along the coast. To achieve this aim therefore, the study examined the shorelines of three settlements, Agge, Koluama2 and Okpoama situated along the coastline with respect to determining the impact of the temporal behavior of swash and backwash waves on on the shore. The study utilized the instrument of stop watch to carry out in-situ measurements of wave break rate at the shore. Furthermore, Pearson correlation was used to test whether the temporal behavior of backwash is significantly related to shoreline changes in the study area. The results show that erosion is the dominant event in all the three settlements. The result further revealed a progressive increase of wave break rate from the month of April to July and becomes regressive from the month of August to December. This high rate of wave breaks in the month of April to August is as a result of the influence of the tropical maritime air mass which occurs within the period of June and July. The study also reveal that the occurrences or factors that contributes to coastal erosion in the different settlements might be the same or similar. The study recommended amongst others the execution of coastal zone management for the region.