3 Project Natural Environment: 3.1 Bathymetry

One&Only Le Saint Gran Ltd Beach Rehabilitation Works at One&Only Le Saint Gran at Poste de Flacq
Environmental Impact Assessment Report

REP/EIA 001 | Issue | 23 November 2011
J :\CURRENT PROJ ECT\2809 - BEACH REHABILITATION, ST GERAN\4.5- REPORTS AND MEMOS\ENVIRONMENT\2809 - EIA REPORT NO1(ISSUE NO 1, 2011-11-23).DOCX
Page 9

3 Project Natural Environment
With reference to the proposed scope of works, the project will entail working
along the coastline and to a lesser extent within the nearshore lagoon. Studies
have been undertaken to inform the design process and the EIA of the relevant
parameters pertaining to the proposed works. These parameters are presented
hereunder.
3.1 Bathymetry
A bathymetry survey has been executed within the lagoon facing the Site in J uly
2010. The mapping of the isobaths is given in Figure 3.1.1.
Cross-sections derived from historical bathymetry surveys undertaken in 1998,
2002 against those of 2010 are also attached in Appendix F.
The west-east balance of sand volumes from August 2002 and J uly 2010 indicate
that the eastern 350-400 meters of the LSG shoreline lost 3300m
3
of sand. These
data show that sand is being transported from east to west and deposited as a shoal
at the west end of the LSG shoreline. The east-west balance of sand volumes is
reproduced on Figure 1.1.1.2.1.
3.2 Marine Biota Survey
The area surveyed is about 350m of the shoreline along a belt of 100m parallel to
the shoreline as reproduced in Figure 3.2.1(a).
The description of the marine biotope occupying the lagoonar space facing the Le
Saint Gran Site has been surveyed on the 17 April 2011 in quest of baseline data
and with a view to provide:
The definition of the biological context of the lagoon
The mapping of the diversity and sensitivity of the biotope in the Project zone
3.2.1 Quantitative Assessment of Sea Bed Cover
The sea bed cover has been assessed quantitatively, according to the Line
Intercept Linear Method, along 7 observations transects, shown in Figure 3.2.1
(b).
The average of sea bed cover observed along those transects is summarised
hereunder:
With reference to Section 4.1 of the Marine Biota Survey of Appendix E, the Sea
bed is composed of a significant amount of sea grass (39%) and bare sand (50%)
that is frequently uplifted during strong tidal events.
3.2.2 Marine Flora
The marine flora in the Project Site consists essentially of:
Algae existing on the basalt outcrops and coral rubble, and
Seagrass stands of Halophila ovalis and Halophila stipulaceae and few
patches of Halodule sp.
Onc & On!y Lc 5aInt Gran Ltd
Beach Rehabilitation Works
Lc 5aInt Gran Hntc!
at Poste de Flacq
Figure 3.2.1(a) - Ecological Sensitivity Map
DateNovember 2011
Scale1:1250
N
Legend:
Average Ecological Sensitivity
High Ecological Sensitivity
Low Ecological Sensitivity
Transect for Biota Survey
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Survey Boundary
Existing Breakwater
Islands (c. 1998)
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Consolidate Existing
Rocks and decrease Gap
with Existing Breakwater
Consolidate Existing
Rocks
Ilot Banane
OPTIONAL
because of presence of
shoreline outcrops
Existing
Rock
Outcrop
Width >
to create shoaling
Width >
to create shoaling
Onc & On!y Lc 5aInt Gran Ltd
Beach Rehabilitation Works
Lc 5aInt Gran Hntc!
at Poste de Flacq
Figure 3.2.1(b) - Biological and Geomorphological Map
DateNovember 2011
Scale1:1250
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Legend:
Halophila Ovalis and Halodule Sp
Monospecific Stand of Halophila Stipulaceae
Halophila Ovalis Stipulaceae
Monospecific Stand of Halophila Ovalis
Sand and Rubble
Sand
Rock
Transect for Biota Survey
Artificial Breakwater
Survey Boundary

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The algae found in the Zone may be summed up as follows:
Table 3.2.2.1: Algae Species in Project Zone

ALGAE SPECIES IDENTIFIED
Enteromorpha flexuosa Turbinaria ornate
Gracillaria salicornia Dictyota sp.
Ulva reticulosa Sargassum ilicifolium
Padina gymnospora Jania sp.
Dictyosphaeria versluyisii Chondrophycus sp.
Seagrass cover consists of stands of:
Halophila ovalis,
Halophila stipulaceae, and few patches of
Halodule sp.
3.2.3 Marine Fauna
3.2.3.1 Benthic Populations
To each biotope identified by a characteristic sea bed cover is associated a specific
biocenose, the diversity and abundance of each biocenose depending upon the
conditions offered by the natural environment, namely, presence of caches, food
availability, water depth, the substratum. The population of slow moving benthic
organism was quite low in the Zone surveyed. The most common benthic
organisms were sea urchins namely Echinometra mathaei and sea cucumbers,
namely Holothuria leucospilota.
3.2.3.2 Fish Populations
The area surveyed had a fish diversity commonly found in shallow lagoons of
Mauritius. However, very few fish were encountered in numbers. The rocks added
to the sea to act as reef breaks harboured quite some fish acting as an artificial
reef.
The fish found are listed below:
Table 3.2.3.2.1: Fish Species in Project Zone

FISH SPECIES ENCOUNTERED
Acanthurus sp.(black) Scarus sp.
Acanthurus triostegus Siganus sp.
Carangoides sp Stegastes limbatus
Gerres acinaces Tylosurus crocodilus
Dascyllus aruanus Zanclus cornutus
Epinephelus spilotoceps Myrichthys maculosus
Mugil cephalus Lethrinus harak
Mulloidichthys flavolineatus Chaetodon sp.

Page 11

Naso unicornis Valenciennea sp.
Parupeneus barberinus Bothus pantherinus
3.2.4 Biological Diversity and Sensitivity
The inventories of the biological communities and the observations over the
Project Zone have been undertaken along the proposed works zone.
The major part of the Project Zone is of low ecological sensitivity, consisting
mainly of sandy deposits sparsely colonised with small marine grass patches, with
benthic populations of low density and diversity.
The area surveyed had a fish diversity commonly found in shallow lagoons of
Mauritius and sea urchins are the most common benthic organisms. The number
of fish and algae are low in the region.
No coral colonies have been found in the Project Zone.
3.3 Marine Hydrodynamics
3.3.1 Seawater level variations
Variations in seawater levels have three well- defined components:
Astronomical tide variation
Coastal piling up under wind action
Inverse barometric effect
3.3.1.1 Astronomical Tide Variations
Astronomical tide variations in Port-Louis harbour and from the Admiralty Tide
Tables, are:

Highest Astronomical Tide: +0.80 m above Datum
Mean High Water Spring: +0.50m above MSL
Mean High Water Neap: +0.10m above MSL
Mean Low Water Spring: -0.30m above MSL
Lowest Astronomical tide: 0.00m i.e. Chart Datum
For the purpose of beach stability considerations, the Mean High Water (springs)
of 0.50m AMSL will be adopted.
3.3.1.2 Coastal Piling up
This effect can be calculated, but it is generally accepted that 0.10m would be a
maximum rise of water level due to wind.
3.3.1.3 Inverse Barometric Effect
Under the relatively important reduction of barometric pressure that occurs when
cyclonic conditions prevail on Mauritius, the water level will rise in compensation
of the partial void. A simple calculation will show that each millibar of depression
is equivalent to a 0.01m rise in water level.

Page 12

The maximum atmospheric drop that can be observed in Mauritius during the
months of December to April, when the probability of occurrence of cyclones is
maximum, would be 0.69m (re cyclone Carol). Thus, the rise in water level that
would be realistic due to the Inverse Barometric Effect during the passage of such
a cyclone would be of the order of 80cm.
Note that cyclone Carol corresponds to an event of approximately 50-year return
period.
3.3.2 Maximum Probable Water Level Rise
The maximum probable rise in water level would be obtained by assuming the
simultaneous occurrences of the above mechanisms:
Astronomical Tide: +50cm AMSL
Wind piling up: +10cm
Inverse Barometric effect: +80cm
Maximum water level rise: 1.40m AMSL
Observations have been made of the level of flotsam deposition
4
at numerous
coastal locations after the passage of cyclone Carol (28
th
Feb 1960). For the
Project area, these observations are:
Poste-de-Flacq: 1.97m Above MSL
Therefore, to avoid being in the potential "onshore - offshore" water-induced
sediment movement zone, it would be advisable to stay beyond the
aforementioned maximum swash-line demarcations.
3.3.3 Current Fields
Inasmuch as the Project Zone is concerned, current circulating in the lagoon will
vary in intensity and direction in function of ocean waves incident on the fringing
reef, the tides and wind regimes. As the ocean waves break on the reef, seawater
enters the lagoon, at inflow rates that obviously depend upon the wave regime.
Drainage currents that are induced in the lagoon are normally north-bound in the
neighbourhood of the Site.
3.3.4 Wave fields
Wave height, period and direction are the three basic wave parameters used in
coastal engineering. These characteristics of a sea state are functions of the
location, wind speed, fetch and duration of the wave generating wind field. After
SOGREAH
5
the three main types of waves that affect the Mauritius Sector, and
eventually the Project Site, could be described as follows:

4
W. G. Mc INTYRE & H. L. WALKER: Tropical Cyclones and Coastal Morphology in Mauritius. Am.
Ass. Am Geogr. 1964. No 54, pages 582-596
5
SOGREAH: Preparation of a Master Plan for the Development of the Northern Tourist Zone and
the Protection of its Seaboard. Report 5.2104 R3 prepared for the Ministry of Housing, Land and
Environment, Mauritius. 1991.

Page 13

3.3.4.1 Southern Waves
Weather systems consisting of low pressure cells passing well to the S of
Mauritius (~40S) can generate fully developed seas due to high wind speeds,
large fetch areas and sustained durations. These waves then reach Mauritius from
the SW in the form of long regular swells
3.3.4.2 Trade Wind Waves
The prevailing SE Trade Winds may produce short or long period waves
depending on wind speed and duration. These waves would travel in the same
direction as their associated wind fields. Now, lying on the western coast of
Mauritius, the Site is exposed to the Trade Winds regimes, these winds blowing
from the NE -SE regularly about 75 to 80% of the time during the year, the wind
velocity ranging between 2 to 8 m/s.
3.3.4.3 Cyclone Waves
The cyclone path dictates the direction of the cyclonic waves. Normally, the
majority of cyclonic waves reach Mauritius from directions between East and
Northwest. Waves are usually well formed.
3.3.4.4 Ocean Wave Data & Statistics
The wave climate on Site can only be deduced by the transformation of seas
incident on the fringing reefs and thereafter travelling on the reef flat.
Wave riders have been installed in Mauritius, but visually observed wave data
from passing ships (VOS) are the main source of historical wave data from
Mauritius. The tendency for ships masters to avoid storms (especially cyclones)
together with the subjective manner in which VOS measurements are taken must
be borne in mind when examining the VOS data presented here.
To compensate for the fact that no wave measurements are available near Site, it
is therefore proposed to adopt:
Statistics of ocean waves incident upon the fringing reefs protecting the
lagoon
Numerical transformation of the incident waves by the shallow lagoon
characteristics.
From the VOS data bank, the extreme wave conditions have been extracted and
are reproduced hereunder.


Page 14

Table 3.3.4.1: Typical wave parameters

Wave type Height (m) Period (s) Dir-N
Southern waves 3 5 12 20
200 220
Trade wind waves 1 3 4 12 90 135
Cyclone waves variable Variable 315 90

Table 3.3.4.2: Percentage 'Exceedence' of Wind Waves and Swell Heights

Height (m)
% 'Exceedence'
Wind Wave Swell
>1 38.61
84.75
>2 8.27 41.40
>3 1.70 13.80
>4 0.25 3.71
>5 0.09 1.21
>7 0.02 0.13
3.3.4.5 Wave Regime on Site Shoreline
The ocean waves will reach the Site after breaking on the fringing reef and
travelling in progressively shallower waters where they will therefore undergo
refraction and decrease in amplitude.

Two main cases may be considered:
(i) Normal Climatic Conditions, with prevailing high tide
(ii) Cyclonic Conditions, with concurrent high tide

No wave field measurements been available, the wave pattern, in particular at the
Site, have been the object of thorough observations during the J uly/August 1998
survey campaign, with detailed descriptions given in the CAREXSigma Ove
Arup Report
6
.

The wave field incident on the Works Site has been found to be a complex
superposition of at least three separate wave fields, originating from:
diffraction of ocean wave trains at Passe Canon
ocean waves transforming in the lagoon after breaking on the fringing reef
lagoonar waves induced by the trade winds blowing over the lagoonar fetch

Conditions will worsen under the occurrence of cyclonic conditions, when, in
elevated waters, high energy N to NE ocean waves will induce waves with
amplitudes of the order of 1 to 2.0m reaching the Works Site.

6
CAREX Environnement & SOAP: Beach Protection & Rehabilitation. September 1998.

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Environmental Impact Assessment Report

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