Coastal and Continental Shelf Processes in Ghana
Abstract
The on-going research findings would provide sound basis for the formulation of science-based policies for effective coastal area management. Another long term goal is to provide leadership which would ensure that similar capacity for research in coastal processes is developed in other countries in the region. The focus of the research is to employ satellite remote sensing coupled with field surveys to address maritime concerns specifically in Ghana and by extension the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem region. The specific objectives include: 1. investigation of processes governing shoreline change in Ghana 2. development of algorithms for detection and monitoring of vessel traffic and oil slicks 3. investigation of meso-scale oceanographic phenomena (e.g. coastal upwelling, fronts, eddies) in the Gulf of Guinea The entire 550 km of Ghana s shoreline is generally vulnerable to erosion. As part of the implementation strategy, thirty-three (33) ground control points (GCP) have been established along the entire coastline, and coordinated to the Ghana metre grid. The GCPs serve as reference points for regular Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) survey of the coast. The framework for the monitoring program was established through collaboration with scientists from the United States and Europe. The coastal and continental processes research is being carried out at different spatial scales (1) large scale coastline development of order 100 - 1000 km, (2) large scale shelf processes of order 100 - 1000 km, (3) large scale nearshore processes of order 10 - 100 km, and (4) medium scale coastal inlets and adjacent beaches of order 1 - 10 km. The main activity during the fiscal year involved intensive RTK monitoring of selected sites along the coastline to improve on estimation of rate of shoreline change.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA557203
Entities
People
- George Wiafe
Organizations
- University of Ghana