*********** +++++++++++++++++++++ 070295B.ENG + Source: ONR Asia + *********** +++++++++++++++++++++ Contributory Categories: BIO, GEO, ENV, PHY Country: South Africa From: CSIR: EMATEK Brochure KEYWORDS: South Africa; Coastal Programs, Government-Industry co-operation, Marine Research and Development +++++ PROFILE COASTAL DEVELOPMENT Division of Earth, Marine & Atmospheric Science CSIR P O Bos 320 Stellenbosch 7599 South Africa Part II/VI MAJOR PROJECTS in three parts completed in next two messages This chapter summarises some of the major projects completed by Ematek's Coastal Development programme over the past few years. +++++ Eight Items 1. MARINE INSTRUMENTATION DEVELOPMENT SOUTH AFRICA The CSIR has for the past twenty years been very active in research and development associated with marine instrumentation that would stand up to our extremely harsh marine environment. Some of the major milestones achieved during this period are'. o The Wavemonitor, an extremely rugged wave measuring buoy. o A heave-pitch-roll measuring system using the transducer technology used in the Wavemonitor. o A water level recorder which uses an acoustic technique to measure water level variation accurately and which is self-calibrating. o An electro-magnetic current meter capable of operating at depths of up to 80 m. Having no moving parts, the EMCM is ideal for coastal conditions in warm waters where there is significant marine growth. o A nearshore directional wave and current measurement system ideally suited for use at ports. The system features a bottom-mounted electro-magnetic current meter/pressure sensor assembly capable of accurate current speed and direction measurement and accurate wave direction, wave height and wave period measurement. +++++ 2. NAMAKWA SANDS WEATHER MONITORING PROGRAMME NAMAKWALAND SOUTH AFRICA Client: Namakwa Sands (Pty) Ltd Project Description: The new Mining Business Division of the Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd contracted the CSIR to undertake a long-term weather monitoring programme within their Namakwa Sands mining area on the Cape West Coast. The weather data are required for the extensive environmental rehabilitation programme which will be the largest undertaken in a semi-arid region of southern Africa. Brief: The objective of the weather monitoring programme is to collect, analyse and present data on wind, air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and fog precipitation at three locations inside the study area. Response: Weather monitoring has been undertaken since 1990. The data collected during each consecutive twelve month interval are compiled into quarterly and annual summary reports. +++++ 3. DUNE VEGETATION MAPPING AND IMPORTANCE RATING OF THE COASTAL VEGETATION AS AN AID TO DEVELOPMENT PLANNING SOUTH AFRICA Clients: Department of Land Coordination and Development & Cape Nature Conservation of the Cape Provincial Administration Natal Town & Regional Planning Commission Richards Bay Borough Kwazulu Government Private Consultants Description of Project: With the specific aim of defining levels of conservation importance for the coastal vegetation along the South African coastline, an analytical approach was followed to produce a series of vegetation/conservation importance maps, at a 1 - 1 0 000 scale, for use with the orthophoto map series. The maps depict the community types and their associated conservation importance rating using a combination of colour and hatching patterns and present, in terms of vegetation, the suitability of the landscape for development. The map data are stored on a structured Geographic Information System for ease of manipulation and fast access, to enable flexibility in their use and to facilitate updating. Brief: To create a botanical map series which could be easily used by authorities to make informed decisions and which would highlight the potential impact significance of proposed coastal developments on affected plant community types. Response: The mapping approach is a novel approach which only provides a first level of quantitative, objective assessment of the conservation importance status of major vegetation types along the South African coastline on a subregional, regional and national scale. The maps are used as a standard by developers and decision makers during all stages of development planning within the coastal zone. This approach has resulted in the ma'ority of current development taking place in botanically low priority areas. +++++ 4. ASHDOD PORT LAYOUT DESIGN ISRAEL Ports Authority (IPA) Description of Project: The Port of Ashdod, Israel, had to be extended, especially to allow an annual increase in the import of 2,5 million tons of coal. The layout of the port extension had tb be optimised, taking into consideration wave-induced ship motions, ship manoeuvring and stopping distances for the design ship, as well as cooling water requirements for the Eshkol power plant. In addition, the main breakwater had to be extended into deeper water, requiring the determination of the optimum alignment and the structural detail. Brief: The CSIR was requested to undertake the layout design of the port extension, using the inputs of specialised studies to be undertaken both by the CSIR and other port specialists. This would involve the determination of the critical environmental design conditions, especially the wave climate, geophysical properties of the seabed and the characteristics of the design ship with regard to manoeuvring, wave-induced vertical motions and mooring response. Furthermore, the CSIR was requested to undertake the structural stability design of the extended main breakwater, using physical model studies, and to study the associated wave penetration, using a numerical model. Response: Data on the design ship and tug boat operations, stopping distance, manoeuvring characteristics and wave-induced ship motions were obtained and analysed. Both short and long waves were found to be of critical importance. The optimal port layout was determined. A series of physical small-scale model studies were undertaken to determine the optimum structural stability of the main breakwater, especially the wave forces on the crown wall and the stability of the armour layer. In consultation with the client, a pile support system for the crown wall was designed. The recommended design was accepted by the client and subsequently built. The port extensions have now been successfully in operation for some time. +++++ 5. BEACH REPLENISHMENT WAENHUISKRANS SOUTH AFRICA Client: Department of Environment Affairs & Tourism Description of Project: An innovative way to restore the natural sediment supply to a beach by harnessing the natural processes. Brief: Artificial stabilisation of a driftsand area resulted in the once sandy beaches becoming rockier and unattractive to holiday makers previously used to beautiful sandy beaches. Response: The CSIR designed a dune destabilisation programme and established a monitoring network to evaluate results. Results to date show that the erosional trend has reversed and the beaches are starting to build up. +++++ 6. BEACH AND DUNE MANAGEMENT: PLANNING, DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION TABLE VIEW, CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA Client: Equikor (Pty) Ltd Milnerton Municipality Description of Project: The project employs the use of a soft engineering approach towards the solution of windblown sediment problems in the Milnerton metropolitan environment. An artificially constructed, vegetated buffer dune traps the windblown sediment and retains it for periodic release during storm events, thereby also reinforcing the long term beach stability. Significantly improved opportunities for developing recreation and amenity facilities immediately inland of the dune are a spin-off of the project. Brief: The two components of the CSIR project brief were to design a solution to control the influx of windblown beach sand into the Dolphin Beach hotel and apartment complex and the properties and infrastructure along the Milnerton coastline, and to manage the implementation of the project according to the design. Response: Following a thorough assessment of the coastal processes, beach dynamics and windblown sediment transport potential, the CSIR prepared the design specifications of the buffer dune. These included specifications for- planting-, automated irrigation- the provision of pedestrian beach access routes- fencing- and educational signage- The implementation of the project was managed by the CSIR and the work was successfully completed in cooperation with the contractor, Hydromulch (Pty) Ltd. The performance of the dune has matched that which was predicted and the project objectives have been achieved in full. +++++ 7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OIL EXPLORATION NAMIBIA Client: Chevron Overseas (Namibia) Ltd Description of Project: Chevron Overseas (Namibia) Ltd is the operator for oil exploration drilling in Area 2815 in a joint venture with Eagle Energy (Namibia) Ltd and Shell Namibia Exploration B.V Area 2815 is located off southern Namibia, adjacent to the Namibian/South African border, northwest of the Orange River Mouth. Brief: In order to meet the Petroleum Agreement between Chevron and the Namibian Government, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to evaluate the environmental effects of the project was required. Response: The CSIR undertook the EIA in accordance with the Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) approach, as described in Namibia's Draft Environmental Assessment Policy (1 993). Throughout the study emphasis was placed on involving the interested and affected parties. The impact of oil exploration was assessed for the three operating scenarios- a normal operating scenario which assumes that operations proceed smoothly without any major accidents and two worst case scenarios which both assume an oil spill. Recommendations for mitigation were made. +++++ 8. SEASTATE FORECASTING OIL EXPLORATION & OFFSHORE MINING SOUTH AFRICA Clients: Soekor (Pty) Ltd Institute of Maritime Technology Land & Marine Consolidated Diamond Mines Description of Project: The CSIR has provided a sea state forecast service for a number of offshore operations, such as cable laying, offshore mining and for the installation of the Mossgas oil/gas production platforms. Brief: Accurate sea state forecasts for operational planning purposes were required, giving details of sea and swell heights, periods and directions. Response: The CSIR provided three-day forecasts to the respective clients on a daily or twice-daily basis. The forecasts enabled critical decisions to be made in advance and also allowed decisions to be made on the basis of weather windows, i.e. given the time required for a specific operation to take place, what would the probability be that the sea state remained calm enough, for log enough, for the operation to take place The local forecast model developed by the CSIR has been comprehensively tested with measured wave data. For a forecast 24 hours ahead, wave height estimates are accurate to +/- 0,25 m 66% of the time and within +/- 0,75 m 83% of the time. +++++ CMR Disclaimer================================================== This document could contain information all or part of which is or may be copyrighted in a number of countries. 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