The impact of riverine outflow on coastal ecosystem management in Bandon Bay, Gulf of Thailand | |
| Author | Ananya Jarernpornnipat |
| Call Number | AIT Diss no.AQ-04-05 |
| Subject(s) | Coastal ecology--Thailand, Gulf of Streamflow--Thailand, Gulf of |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technical Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. AQ-04-05 |
| Abstract | Bandon Bay is one of the most productive coastal areas located in Surat Thani Province, Southern Thailand. The Tapi River and eighteen canals are main sources of freshwater outflow and means to transport of material including nutrients, organic matter and sediment to the bay. The freshwater outflow and nutrients transported from the river and canals provide essential support for reproduction of plankton in the estuarine ecosystem. It is important as spawning, nursery and feeding areas for shellfish and finfish. Bandon Bay serves also as an excellent area for culture of shellfish. Meanwhile, Bandon Bay is also a textbook example of excessive utilization of coastal resources in the tropics including all derived changes that occur in an estuarial ecosystem. The estuary, with its well-developed mangrove forest, formerly served as an important nursery ground and feeding area for juvenile shellfishes (oysters, mussels, crabs and shrimps) of great economic importance. However, excessive cutting of the mangrove forest along with uncontrolled massive development of mariculture have led to decreasing water quality and problems with sedimentation. These problems have already been identified and acknowledged to a great extent by the various stakeholders ranging from traditional fishermen through businessmen to authorities and politicians who are responsible for providing a sustainable management plan for the common resources present in the estuary. This study aims to assess the impacts of the Tapi River discharge on coastal ecosystems as well as local livelihood of local people around the Bandon Bay. The study found that yearly computed simulations by using MIKE 21 water quality module showed that the Bandon Bay ecosystem is primarily affected by water discharge from the Tapi River and wind fields which change between wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, freshwater discharge and hence nutrient loading from the Tapi River is very high and associated with westerly winds and nutrient dispersion moves eastwards of the Tapi River mouth in the Kanchanadit area. During the dry season, freshwater discharge from the Tapi River is low and associated with easterly winds, nutrients disperse westwards of the Tapi River mouth into the Tha Chang area. In addition to nutrient dispersal, the model was used to forecast maximum coliform bacterial loading compared to domestic and export-based standard criteria for shellfishes. It was found that the maximum simulated allowances for total coliform bacteria loading to the Tapi River and I |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. AQ-04-05 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Pedersen, Ole;Somsak Boromthanarat |
| Examination Committee(s) | Suphat Vongvissessomjai;Macintosh, Donald J. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danida |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |