Abstract

Sequential aerial photographs taken along a section of the Strand coast (longitude 07°35’00” and latitude 8°30’ 20”E)  East of the Niger Delta Nigeria were anaylsed to understand tidal inundation and resulting morphodynamic features as well as the littoral cell circulation patterns. Records from a Davis drifter deployed in the Qua Iboe River that traveled parallel to the shoreline were also used to confirm the littoral cell patterns. The analysis of the sequential aerial pictures shows that the cell circulation patterns consist of waves with oblique angles which approach in a Southwesterly direction generating an Eastward flowing longshore current. Rip currents are recognised in the surf zone as seaward flowing surfs. Interpretation of a picture of the exposed beach during low tide shows tidally induced morphodynamic features such as rhythmic ripples, perpendicular sand ridges and runnels (hollows) which tend to be welded to the shoreline. Drifter number 26602 deployed inside the Qua Iboe River on 3 March 2001 at 0300 h confirmed the West to  East longshore current direction. Though this study employed the use of short term data, it has enhanced the understanding of oceanographic processes, erosional, and depositional processes in the intertidal zone of the stud area.

Key words: Cell circulation, drifter, longshore currents, Niger Delta, rip currents, waves.