Sediment budget for Paradip port, India

Abstract

A sediment budget calculation for Paradip port, situated on the east coast of India, is presented, taking into account longshore sand transport and nearshore erosion and deposition. Longshore sand transport rates have been computed using a CERC formula for which the average breaking wave characteristics, obtained from wave refraction diagrams were used. Quantities of nearshore erosion and deposition were obtained from the analysis of near-shore profiles. The study reveals that a quantity of nearly 0·8 million m³ of sand is deposited in the approach channel, while as much as 1·3 million m³ of sand is removed from the northern side of the port annually. It is also clear that the dumping of sand dredged from the port and its approaches beyond the 11 m depth contour on the northern side of the port, does not help to prevent erosion to the north of the port.