Monitoring Landform Dynamics of Mahi River Estuary at Gulf of Cambay, Gujarat Using RS-GIS Techniques

Abstract

The Gulf of Cambay (GoC), the extension of the Arabian Sea, is the valuable asset and is importantfor the economic progress of the state and the nation.This study is focused on estuary of Mahi River and its tributary at Gulf of Cambay (GoC).The studiesshows arising complications of mix nature in a regiondue to several reasons.To detect and assess the decadal landform changes for the 1978-2017 time frame and Level I & II Classification System for Coastal Land Use Mapping for the geology and geomorphological features were considered. Satellite data were used in ArcGIS environment to construct the geo-data sets and produce LULC classified thematic maps and geo-statistics. Statistical analysis generated were materialised to reveal the outcomes. Industries (7%), mangroves (>1%), settlements (>1%) depict a growth from 1978 to 2017. Sandbars have negative and mudflats have positive but fluctuating trend. Further association of classified and predictable features on image were established with Ground Control Points (GCP). The spatial extent of mud flats, salt encrusted land and sand bars have transformed indicating the natural parameters are under pressure over this region. The trend of fluvial water and rejuvenation through sediment flux in gulf in the recent time is declining compare to previous and in contradictory, the spatial extent of mud of marine nature and its deposition and change in its quality is striking and evident.

Introduction

The coastal zone is a complex, transitional area where land and sea interact, encompassing ecosystems with high biological productivity influenced by tides, sediments, and nutrients. Definitions vary, but broadly include intertidal and subtidal zones extending to the continental shelf, with the coastal zone housing 40% of the world’s population within 100 km and covering over 10% of Earth's surface.

The Gulf of Cambay (Khambhat) on Gujarat’s western coast, India, hosts the Mahi River estuary—a critical ecological zone supporting diverse species but vulnerable to pollution and human impact. Human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure development have increasingly altered coastal ecosystems worldwide, including in Gujarat where coastal population and urban growth are significant.

Remote sensing (RS) and GIS technologies, using satellite imagery from Landsat and IRS, have been utilized to monitor land use/land cover (LULC) changes and geomorphological dynamics in the Mahi estuary region from 1978 to 2017. These tools help assess natural processes and anthropogenic influences, such as changes in mudflats, mangroves, agriculture, and industrial land cover.

The study found stable agricultural land and vegetation (~30-35%), slight population growth, but significant increases in industrial areas and fluctuating mudflat extents—reflecting the complex interplay between natural sedimentation and human pressures like dam construction, pollution, and urban encroachment. The estuary’s sediment supply has decreased due to these impacts, threatening its ecological balance.

Field validation with photographs confirmed the satellite-based observations of tidal flooding, mudflats, aquaculture, salt-affected lands, and intertidal zones, underscoring the dynamic and vulnerable nature of the Mahi estuary within the Gulf of Cambay coastal zone.

Conclusion

Different spatial classes are represented here in image for temporal resolution of 1978, 1990, 2000, 2011, 2017 along with the statistics and graphical bar charts on decadal scale. Followings are the conclusion:the climate, socio-economic condition has more influence on agriculture and settlements which has remained unchanged or marginally changed. Mangroves are taken care of by the nature. The contribution of water and sediments flux from river side is comparatively (based on referred research work) compare to mud flat expansion through tides within the gulf and along estuaries, encouraging more marine deposition and saline in nature. The quality degradation and quantity of mud flats in this region at the tail of Gulf is eye catching may excel prograding nature of shore line. The region is under fluvial marine deposition, but fluctuating contribution from river side, need more study on chemical analysis for refined work.

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