Variations of Sediment Textural Parameters and Topography around Gangneung Harbor after the Completion of Harbor Construction

Abstract

To investigate the changes in depositional environment around Gangneung Harbor, we analyzed the surface sediment textural parameters and topography data collected five times from February 2007 to February 2009. In the study area, sediments were mainly composed of sand and its sediment size became finer at offshore sites. During summer time, however, the sand grains became coarser than winter season near Namhangjin Beach, inside the harbor, and offshore areas. On the other hand, the grain size of Anmok Beach showed a gradual finer trend with time. Compared with the previous studies conducted before the completion of Gangneung Harbor construction, the mean grain size became finer on Anmok Beach, while it was coarser on Namhangjin Beach. The bathymetric changes observed over a 2-year period showed predominant erosion in the area of 5 to 10 m water depths and deposition in 2 to 5 m water depths. The shallower area less than 2 m water depths showed an alternating trend and yet slightly more dominant erosion process. The sediment textural parameters and the distribution of erosion and deposition have changed continuously. Results imply that such changes show long-term trends as well as seasonal variations in which the trend may have been formed after the completion of Gangneung Harbor construction.