Morpho-dynamic evolution of Ekakula spit of Odisha coast, India using satellite data

Abstract

Ekakula spit is t at the northern end of Gahirmatha coast in the state of Odisha, India This spit is located at the mouth of Maipura River which is falling in the Mahanadi delta region This spit is a prominent and important for many reasons This spit triggers interests to the coastal managers and environmentalists because of its nature Multi-temporal satellite images (1999-2009) were used to study the Morpho-dynamic evolution of this spit Results show that the spit grows towards northeast mainly by the deposition of sand brought by the littoral drift from the south Spit got fragmented and detached portion moved away towards the offshore in the past A close inspection of the temporal satellite images of the area reveals the progressive evolution of the spit Spit appears to have undergone growth and fragmentation over the years and accordingly the Maipura river mouth shifted to and fro The growth of the spit forces the river to shift its mouth and the river causes fragmentation by breaching the spit during heavy floods and cyclones Ekakula spit lost about 306 m when compared its position in 1973 (SOI toposheet) with that in the satellite image of 1999 The year-wise length of the Ekakula spit was estimated using satellite data for the period 1999-2009 from a base point selected for this purpose Ekakula spit length increased since 1999 by 2710 m by 2008 and little reduced to 2431 m during 2008-09 Spit appears to be growing steadily by deposition of sediment brought from south by the littoral drift except during 2003 and 2009 when it suffered some erosion Maximum increase in length was during 2004-2005 followed by 2000-01 and 1999-2000 Minimum was during 2004-05 Erosion was minimal during 2002-03.