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2-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Patterns of Pahang River Estuary, Pahang,

Malaysia during Northeast and Southwest Monsoon

Conference Paper · July 2012

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 UMT 11th International Annual Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management
09th – 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

2-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Patterns of Pahang River Estuary, Pahang, Malaysia

during Northeast and Southwest Monsoon

Razak, Z.1, Zuhairi, A.2, Shahbudin, S.2, and Rosnan, Y.1

1
Faculty of Maritime and Marine Science, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21300, Kuala
Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
2
Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies (INOCEM), Kulliyyah of Science,
International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Istana, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200,
Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.

Corresponding author’s email: zuhairiahmad@hotmail.com

Abstract
Hydrodynamic simulation of Pahang River estuary have been carried out to determine the water
elevation and flow patterns during Northeast and Southwest monsoon, and to simulate cross
sectional profiles over horizontal layer of flow and discharges. Details of the calibration results of
model against the observed tidal elevation and currents have been presented. The MIKE21 HD model
has been modelled for the projected flows and discharge. Period of modelling was during highest
high tide and lowest low tide in Northeast monsoon (December 2010) and Southwest monsoon (July
2011). From simulation and observation, it has been observed that tidal elevation and freshwater
discharges of Pahang River were higher during Northeast monsoon while flow velocity was higher
during Southwest monsoon. The estuary found to ‘ebb-dominant’ during highest high tide and lowest
low tide in Northeast monsoon; while it showed ‘flood-dominant’ estuary during highest high tide
and ‘ebb-dominant’ estuary during lowest low tide in Southwest monsoon. Simulated current profiles
also showed that it tend to slow down and circular in the middle of the estuary. From sediment
characteristics analysis, surface sediments mean size in Northeast monsoon found to be ranged
between very coarse sand to medium silt based on classification by Buchanan (1984). During
Southwest monsoon, surface sediments mean size found to be ranged between ‘very coarse sand’ to
‘fine silt’. Based on Hjulstrøm curve of critical velocity, the estuary ability to mobilize loose and
cohesive sediment is higher in Northeast monsoon than Southwest monsoon. Hence, sediment supply
from discharge found to be major key effecting sediment mobility in Pahang River estuary.

Keywords: Pahang River estuary, hydrodynamic, MIKE21HD

Introduction

Estuaries are define as semi-enclosed bodies of water which having free connection with sea water
and freshwater run-off. It influenced by tides, freshwater discharge, wind and surface waves.
Estuaries has significant role to the oceanic process as the water, contaminant, and sediment
exchanged between estuary and coastal sea. It also becomes habitat to various flora and fauna. In
recent years, conflicts between estuary capacity and human need always occurred due to rapid
developments in estuaries area. Thus, estuary delicate balance and natural characteristics have been
affected in term of physical, chemical and biological aspects. Estuary changes will give direct impact
to human, especially to those who directly interact with it.

To overcome these problems, several approaches have been introduced. One of the methods is using
‘system analysis’, where the data and numerical model simulation have been used to describe the
estuary and support the analysis [1]. The numerical models which based on physical and
biochemistry principles are useful in understanding and predict dynamic behaviours or responses
towards various changing factors. Based on this approach, hydrodynamic (HD) model were used to
understand hydrodynamic process in Pahang River estuary. HD model were able to generate
important parameters output such as flow speed and directions, water elevation, mass transport; and
able to simulate water movement in the estuary effectively from limited field [2,3]. Such efforts have
been seen in previous studies by [1,3,4,5,6,7,8].

In this paper, Pahang River estuary is studied using 2-Dimensional computer based modelling system
from MIKE 21. This study focused on the following objectives: to simulate water elevation and flow

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patterns during Northeast and Southwest monsoon; to simulate cross sectional profiles over
horizontal layer of flow and discharges; and to identify area with high and low sediment mobility
during both monsoon using Hjulstrøm curve. In order to achieve these objectives, study guidelines
prepared by Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (DID) in 2001 were referred so that the
study conducted in comprehensive manner and model simulations were more representative of the
actual conditions.

Description of the study area. Pahang River estuary is located at east coast of Pahang, facing South
China Sea (Fig.1). The estuary received tidal flow from Kuala Pahang inlet and Tanjung Agas inlet,
while freshwater inflow from upstream. The estuary faced bimodal patterns of two monsoon periods;
Northeast Monsoon from October to March and Southwest Monsoon from June to September [9,10].
Freshwater inflows are persistently large especially during Northeast Monsoon. From observation,
during this period, estuary stratification usually collapsed within short period of time and affect
salinity distribution significantly.

N
Peninsular
Malaysia
South China Sea

Study
Area

Legend

Water
Land
. Pekan, Pahang,

Malaysia
Land
Fig.1: Study area

Fig.2: Model boundaries and sampling stations

The inlet boundary of the model was located at Kuala Pahang and Tanjung Agas river mouth, while
the entrance boundary was located perpendicular with Sultan Abu Bakar (SAB) Bridge (Fig.2). Three
tide gauge stations, three current profiler stations and several verification stations have been selected
at different locations to measure water elevation and current profiles. Total of 21 stations have been
selected for sediment sample collection throughout the area.

Significant of the Study. Pahang River stretched for almost 440km long and drained an area of
29000km2, thus the amount of run-off being discharged are exponentially huge [11]. Furthermore,
excessive sand dredging activities in the estuary have continuously changed the bathymetry and
current patterns. For the past 10 years, sedimentation problem have occurred within the estuary,
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emerging sand banks and tidal shoals [12]. The estuary become shallow and narrow recently. Short
term measures have been taken to overcome this problem such as bombarding the tidal shoals with
explosives in order to increase flow rate during flood seasons. Small channels connecting Kuala
Pahang and Tanjung Agas also have been dredged to facilitate the movement of vessels. Using
numerical model, flow patterns and cross sectional profiles were able to be simulated. Based on flow
and sediment properties, the area of high and low mobility which indicated probabilities of erosions
and depositions were able to be identified. Water flux exchanged at the inlet and entrance cross
sectional govern the spatial-temporal distribution of hydro-geomorphologic and physic-chemical
water properties which important for the description of estuary carrying capacity [13]. Understanding
flow patterns also important as it was major component for sediment transport.

Materials and Methods

Model description. In cases where the coastal water depth is small in comparisons with horizontal
modelling domain, the vertical flow is insignificant. The flow is predominantly horizontal with good
vertical mixing. Thus, 2-D models are valid as representative of actual system. Models in MIKE21
HD contains hydrodynamics modelling facilities, and pre/post processing routines; which is suite for
flow, water levels, waves, sediment, pollutant transport and water quality modelling for estuaries. For
given bathymetry, water depth, flow, and wave pattern, the models will simulate hydrodynamic
parameters at each point of rectangular grid covering the area of interest. The mathematical
description used in this module is rather empirical, so the model is heavily dependent on good data
field [14]. The governing equations of the hydrodynamic model are from the conservation of mass
and momentum integrated over the vertical equations, and listed as Eq.1, Eq. 2 and Eq.3 [15]:
𝜕𝜁 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑞 𝜕𝑑
+ + = (1)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑡

𝜕𝜌 𝜕 𝑝2 𝜕𝑞 𝑝𝑞 𝜕𝜁 𝑔𝑝 𝑝 2 +𝑞 2 1 𝜕 𝜕
+ + + 𝑔𝑕 + − 𝑕𝜏𝑥𝑥 + 𝑕𝜏𝑥𝑦 − Ω𝑞 − 𝑓𝑉𝑉𝑥 +
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝑕 𝜕𝑦 𝑕 𝜕𝑥 𝐶 2 .𝑕 2 𝜌 𝑤 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝑕 𝜕
𝑃𝑎 = 0
𝜌 𝑤 𝜕𝑥
(2)

𝜕𝑞 𝜕 𝑞2 𝜕𝑝 𝑝𝑞 𝜕𝜁 𝑔𝑞 𝑝 2 +𝑞 2 1 𝜕 𝜕
+ + + 𝑔𝑕 + − 𝑕𝜏𝑦𝑦 + 𝑕𝜏𝑥𝑦 − Ω𝑝 − 𝑓𝑉𝑉𝑦 +
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑦 𝑕 𝜕𝑥 𝑕 𝜕𝑦 𝐶 2 .𝑕 2 𝜌 𝑤 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝑕 𝜕
𝑃𝑎 = 0
𝜌 𝑤 𝜕𝑦
(3)

where x,y are space coordinate (m); t is time (s); ζ is surface elevation (m); d is the time varying
water depth; h=ζ-d is the total water depth (m); p,q are flux densities in x and y direction; C is the
Chezy resistance, which is calculated from the Manning’s number M following C=M.h1/6; g is the
acceleration due to gravity (m/s2); f is the wind friction factor; V, Vx and Vy are wind speed and the
corresponding component in x and y direction (m/s); Ω is Coriolis parameter (s-1); ρw is water density
(kg/m3);Pa is atmospheric pressure (kg/m/s-1); τxx, τxy and τyy are components of effective shear stress.

Model input and setup. The bathymetry data from field survey have been used in the model with
grid resolution of 25 m x 25 m. The maximum depth below the chart datum was 11.07m. Continuous
flow and tidal data have been collected with 10 minutes duration using tide gauge and current profiler
at sampling stations. The coordinates of these stations are as listed in table 1. The data were recorded
during Northeast Monsoon from 5th December 2010 to 27th December 2010 and during Southwest
Monsoon from 13th July 2011 to 26th July 2011 (Fig.3). Tidal constituent information was obtained
from tide tables published by the Royal Malaysian Navy in 2010 and 2011. Wind data in December
2010 and July 2011 were obtained from Meteorological Department (Fig.4). During Northeast
Monsoon, the maximum wind velocity was 5.2 m/s with average 1.5 m/s, and the maximum wind
velocity during Southwest Monsoon was 9.8 m/s with average 1.9 m/s. Water discharges were
assessed at the open boundaries and verification stations.

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Station Id Coordinates
TG ST1 103°27’37.959” E; 3°31’43.813” N
TG ST2 103°28’13.705” E; 3°30’44.128” N
TG ST3 103°23’26.114” E; 3°30’19.011” N
ADCP ST1 103°27’57.194” E; 3°31’45.363” N
ADCP ST2 103°28’23.007” E; 3°30’49.390” N
ADCP ST3 103°23’32.444” E; 3°30’24.609” N

Table 1: Coordinates of tide gauge and current stations

Fig.3: Tidal elevation during Northeast and Southwest Monsoon

Fig.4: Wind rose plot in December 2010 and July 2011

To solve the hydrodynamic equations, the models used the boundary conditions specified by the user
throughout the simulation time. Thus, time series of boundary conditions for each tidal elevation,
flow and winds are needed. To avoid model errors, 15 second interval were used for time step and 10
minutes interval were used for each time series of boundary conditions. Selection of time step
interval is important for determining maximum Courant number allowed for simulation. The setup
parameters of MIKE 21 HD model are as listed in table 2 below:

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Model MIKE 21 Flow Model

Modules Hydrodynamic
Bathymetry KualaPahang.grid
j= 0-371; k=0-106; grid spacing=25m x 25m
Orientation = -20°
Map projection = WGS84 UTM Zone 48N
Easting = 321916.93; Northing = 385126.45
Simulation period Time range = 0-23040
Time step interval = 15sec
Start Date = i. 7/12/2010 00:00:00 AM
ii. 16/7/2011 00:00:00 AM
End Date = i. 11/12/2010 00:00:00 AM
ii. 20/7/2011 00:00:00 AM
Max Courant no: 6.25675
Boundary i. Kuala Pahang: j=371, k=69-90
ii. Tanjung Agas: j=371, k=2-8
iii. Sultan Abu Bakar Bridge: j=1-23, k=106
Source and Sink none
Mass Budget none
Flood and Dry Drying depth = 0.05m; Flooding depth = 0.1m
Initial Surface elevation -0.4m
Boundary conditions Type 0 data file (level); interval 10minutes
-WaterElevationNortheast.dfs0
-CurrentFlowNortheast.dfs0
-DischargeSouthwest.dfs0
-WaterElevationSouthwest.dfs0
-CurrentFlowSouthwest.dfs0
-DischargeSouthwest.dfs0
Eddy viscosity Velocity based; constant = 0.5
Resistance Manning number; constant = 30
Wave radiation none
Wind condition Constant in space; varying with wind speed
- WindNortheast.dfs0
- WindSouthwest.dfs0
Results Output item: Water level, Q flux, P flux, U velocity, V velocity
Table 2: Setup parameters

Sediment collection and analysis. Physical analyses of sediment used mean size, standard deviation,
kurtosis and skewness as indicator for its characteristics. Sediment samples have been collected using
Ekman grab at 21 stations within the estuary. Sample which consist of more than 90% sand were
analyzed using dry sieving methods. Sample having more than 10% fine sediment were analyzed
using laser diffraction methods. Samples with an estimation below 10% of <63μm were sieved using
using series of mesh for 15 minutes. The weight of each sample collected from different sieves were
weighted. This method is quick and sufficiently accurate for most purposes [16]. Samples with >10%
fine sediments have been analyzed using laser diffraction method. For analysis using the laser
diffractometer, samples have been prepared by dissolving all carbonates using 4M hydrochloric
(HCl) acid solution. The organic components were removed by adding 20% hydrogen peroxide
(H2O2) solution. The reactions were considered complete when there are no more bubbles formed
after the addition of further hydrogen peroxide. Then, the samples have been cooled in the water
baths and left to precipitate. Subsequently, calgon solution (sodium hexametaphosphate), were added
to avoid in the breakup of flocs that may have formed with clays after the supernatant were cleaned
[17]. The obtained data from sediment analysis is essential for sedimentological characteristics
calculation using the proposed moment method by McBride [18] and Folk [16]. In sedimentological
calculation, phi (Φ) unit is commonly use as a metric unit, using to several geological terms i.e. mean
size, skewness, standard deviation (sorting) and kurtosis. The phi units calculated by the following
equation (Eq.4):

Φ = -log2D (4)

where, D is diameter of the grain size in millimeter units.

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Results and Discussions

Model calibration and verification. From simulation output, several parameters have been
calibrated with actual dataset in order to minimize deviations between simulated and measured data
within acceptable ranges of accuracy. The measured and extracted simulated hydrodynamic
parameters in all six stations are in satisfactory agreement with measured data. Mingxiao, X., et al.
[8] stated that one may argue that the model calibration using short term datasets lest than 1 day is
fundamentally impractical. This is mainly induced by the uncertainties of wave-related information,
varies sedimentological properties, human activities and potential errors of measurement equipment.
Based on this suggestion, the simulation and calibration periods in this study were prolonged for 4
days during each highest high tide and lowest low tide [19]. In calibrating the HD model, the value of
bottom roughness or Manning number was adjusted to minimize the differences. Manning value of
30 was used as regression results between measured and extracted result was relatively strong. For
simulating worst case scenario, tidal and current data corresponding to highest high tide and lowest
low tide during Northeast and Southwest monsoon were extracted. Fig.5 and Fig.6 give calibration
curves for each sampling stations under these conditions.

Tidal elevation and current velocity during highest high tide. The highest high tide during
Northeast and Southwest monsoon was measured on 9 th December 2010 at 12:00AM and 16th July
2011 at 11:00AM. The average of highest tide simulated at three different tide gauge stations was
4.49 m and 3.96 m. Maximum flow velocity simulated during Northeast monsoon highest high tide
was 0.99 m/s at Kuala Pahang station. This reading was slightly higher than reading in Tanjung Agas
station, where the maximum flow velocity was 0.96 m/s. Such results occurred as the Kuala Pahang
inlet was extended wider than Tanjung Agas in diameter, thus receive larger amount of landward
flow. SAB Bridge station recorded lowest flow velocity reading at it was influenced by freshwater
inflows. The maximum flow velocity here was 0.50 m/s. Average comparisons between both
monsoons were found to be lower during Northeast monsoon compared to those in Southwest
monsoon. Kuala Pahang station recorded maximum velocity of 0.9525 m/s during highest high tide
while Tanjung Agas station reading was 1.63 m/s. At SAB Bridge station, the maximum flow
velocity reading was 0.381 m/s. The flow velocity between Kuala Pahang and Tanjung Agas stations
were differed by 4% in Northeast monsoon and 42% in Southwest monsoon; while flow velocity
between SAB Bridge entrance station and both inlet station were differed by 50% and 77%. This
suggests that during Northeast monsoon, the relative speed of flow landward are slower due to vast
freshwater supply, indicated the stagnancy behaviour of flow water within the estuary.

Tidal elevation and current velocity during lowest low tide. Average lowest low tide reading
simulated at all stations were 1.32 m in Northeast monsoon and 1.685 m in Southwest monsoon.
These readings were extracted on 7th Dec 2010 at 3:00PM and 19th July 2011 at 2:00AM where the
lowest low tide conditions occurred. Minimum flow velocity simulated was differed by 23% during
both monsoons at Kuala Pahang station, with flow velocity recorded during lowest low tide was
0.088 m/s in Northeast monsoon period and 0.115 m/s in Southwest monsoon period. Tanjung Agas
station results showed 10% differences, with 0.036 m/s during lowest low tide in Northeast monsoon
period and 0.04 m/s in Southwest monsoon period. At SAB Bridge, the flow velocity simulated
during lowest low tide was 0.057 m/s in Northeast and 0.02 m/s in Southwest monsoon period. By
these percentages, flow velocities during Northeast monsoon were higher than during Southwest
monsoon. Comparisons between stations showed that flow velocity between SAB Bridge entrance
station and both inlet station were differed by 34% during Northeast monsoon and 58% during
Southwest monsoon.

Model verification. To verify the calibrated model, subsequent testing was conducted to a second
independent dataset of tidal elevation and flow data measured at different verification stations. The
purpose of verification was to further examine the model ability to realistically represent the water
body and its behaviour. Table 3 showed the regression analysis result (r 2) between simulated and
measured data in verification stations. All regression analysis conducted at verification stations
showed good correlation agreement. The characteristic of simulated tidal elevation and current flow
show that the model performs well to reflect the real situations. Thus, this model can be regarded as
the representative of Pahang River estuary. By it means, predictions using the models will allow
future representative of Pahang River estuary as similar as possible. However, due to the complexity

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of estuary, the models need to be improved continuously especially the model bathymetry which is
always changed; caused by various external factor such as dredging activities.

Cross sectional profiles of inlet boundaries and entrance boundary. Cross sectional profiles of
flow velocity and water flux were extracted from model at each inlet and entrance boundaries. The
+ve values of measured flow velocity and water flux indicate flood tide and –ve values indicate ebb
tide. Speer, et al. [20] cited by Hoque, et al. [13] suggest that if stronger flood current lead by the
duration of falling tide exceeds the rising tide, the system is define as ‘flood-dominant’, and if the
duration of falling tide is smaller than the rising tide, it lead to stronger ebb current and define as
‘ebb-dominant’. From the simulated data, the peak flood and ebb velocities occurred near the middle
of rising and falling tides. During highest high tide in Northeast monsoon, the flow velocities found
to be higher at SAB Bridge station, compared to Kuala Pahang and Tanjung Agas station. Water flux
at all station recorded ebbing values. The value of water flux in SAB bridge stations was
exponentially high with 795m3/s, while 91m3/s and 44m3/s were recorded at Kuala Pahang and
Tanjung Agas station. These values represent that the estuary found to be ‘ebb-dominant’ during
highest high tide in Northeast Monsoon. Such situations also occurred during lowest low tide in the
same monsoon. However, the water flux in SAB bridge station was less than Kuala Pahang station,
with each valued 169m3/s and 393m3/s. Tanjung Agas station recorded water flux values of 20m3/s.
Similar to values during highest high tide, the water flux values during lowest low tide was ‘ebb-
dominant’. However, Kuala Pahang stations simulated increment in seaward outflow capacity
represent by current velocity and water flux increased values during lowest low tide; mainly due to
less tide influence which pushed the flow in opposite direction. Fig. 7 showed temporal variation of
velocity and water flux at inlet and entrance boundaries during Northeast Monsoon.

In comparison with Northeast monsoon, the water flux and current properties at all stations found to
be ‘flood dominant’ during highest high tide in Southwest monsoon. The water flux at Kuala Pahang
station was 406m3/s, Tanjung Agas was 53m3/s and SAB Bridge was 703m3/s. As the Pahang River
basin receive smaller amount of rain in this monsoon, the amount of freshwater runoff from upstream
were less than in Northeast monsoon [11] Thus, with stronger tidal influence, the estuary will
experience flooding tide with less freshwater pushing seaward. Hence, the salinity border of Pahang
river estuary will push further upstream. This phenomenon has been observed during the field
sampling. Yet, during lowest low tide where the tidal influenced decreased, the estuary found to be
‘ebb-dominant’ in all station caused by the matter mention earlier. Similar to lowest low tide
condition in Southwest monsoon where seaward flow capacity increased due to less tidal influence,
Kuala Pahang station recorded highest water flux values with 712m3/s, followed by SAB Bridge with
302m3/s and Tanjung Agas 237m3/s. Fig. 8 showed temporal variation of velocity and water flux at
inlet and entrance boundaries during Southwest monsoon.

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Fig.5: Simulated and observed value of tidal elevation at tide gauge (TG) stations and flow
(ADCP)stations under highest high tide and lowest low tide condition during Northeast Monsoon.

Fig.6: Simulated and observed value of tidal elevation at tide gauge (TG) stations and flow (ADCP)
stations under highest high tide and lowest low tide condition during Southwest Monsoon.

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Table 3: Results of regression analysis (r2) between simulated and field measurement data at
verification stations.

R2 of Simulated Data vs Field Measurement Data

Verification Station Id Tidal elevation Flow velocities Flow direction
V1 0.793 0.775 0.769
V2 0.795 0.803 0.799
V3 0.782 0.737 0.631
V4 0.830 0.806 0.812
V5 0.721 0.708 0.711
V6 0.805 0.777 0.791
V7 0.803 0.800 0.797
V8 0.852 0.815 0.815
V9 0.831 0.762 0.701
V10 0.928 0.885 0.858

Fig.7: Temporal variation of velocity and water flux at inlet and entrance boundaries during
Northeast Monsoon.

Fig.8: Temporal variation of velocity and water flux at inlet and entrance boundaries during
Northeast Monsoon.

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Flow patterns, erosion and deposition. Flow and bathymetry were closely related as the flow will
tend to flow through deeper area or channels. Discussing bathymetry with flow patterns will give
better understanding on its behaviours despite other external forces such as tides, freshwater
discharge and wind. Landward inflow moved through the main inlet of Kuala Pahang and spread to
Tanjung Agas through the channels connecting both river mouths. This phenomenon occurred in all
types of tide situations as the channel was deeper than middle sections of both river mouths in order
to facilitate the vessels. Vessels from Kuala Pahang enter the estuary through Tanjung Agas and the
channel as tidal shoal and water disturbance at its river mouth was dangerous to any small vessels. In
the other hand, seaward outflow continuously moved toward river mouth with high velocity based on
several reasons: the estuary were deeper at the back section; many island in the estuary breaks the
flow into smaller channel which increased its velocity; amount of water flux is high; and the estuary
found to be ‘ebb-dominant’ which is average seaward outflow was greater than average landward
inflow although tide is rising. Inflow and outflow were reached at the middle of estuary where it is
shallow and thus forms circular flow. The flow velocities were reduced as stratification, mixing and
circulation occurred. Reduced flow velocities caused water to be calm and increased the settling rate
for suspended sediment. This allowed suspended sediment to be deposited, and the bed become
shallower. Tidal shoal and sand banks found to be numerous around the area. The dredging activities
within the estuary increased the potential of deposition at the middle of estuary as the current is the
medium for sediment transport. However, this condition is different during lowest low tide in
Southwest monsoon, where the flow moved tremendously towards the Kuala Pahang river mouth.
The flow patterns can be observed as in Fig.9 to Fig.12 during each tide conditions in Northeast and
Southwest monsoon.

Fig.9: Flow patterns during highest high tide in Northeast Monsoon

Fig.10: Flow patterns during lowest low tide in Northeast Monsoon

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Fig.11: Flow patterns during highest high tide in Southwest Monsoon

Fig.12: Flow patterns during highest high tide in Southwest Monsoon

Based on these behaviours, flow in Pahang River estuary was categorized as ‘turbulent flow’ which
more common in aqueous sediment transport, erosion and deposition process. Interaction between
sedimentary materials with flow as transporting media resulted in the particles transport and
formation of bedforms. Manikiam, B. et al. [21] suggest that higher flow velocities will carry away
cohesive materials (silt and clay) and moved loose materials (sand, granules and pebbles) especially
near the estuary area through effect of gravity, reflected flow and river discharge. Sediment transport
also affected by its own size, volume, density and shape. The smaller the particles, more easily it can
be transported and while transported, it tends to be sorted by size. Finer grain will transported further
than coarser grain [22]. Thus, understanding sediment characteristic were major component in
determining transport of materials within the estuary. From sediment characteristics analysis, surface
sediments mean size in Northeast monsoon found to be ranged between very coarse sand to medium
silt based on classification by Buchanan [23]. During Southwest monsoon, surface sediments mean
size found to be ranged between ‘very coarse sand’ to ‘fine silt’. All samples during Northeast
monsoons found to be ‘very well sorted’, while during Southwest monsoon, samples showed results
ranged from ‘well sorted’ to ‘very well sorted’. The estuary showed that it has an excess of fine and
coarse material based on skewness result which ranged between ‘fine skewed’ to ‘near symmetrical’
during Northeast monsoon, and ‘fine skewed’ to ‘coarse skewed’ during Southwest monsoon. All
samples from both monsoons found to be ‘very platykurtic’.

Interaction between sediment characteristic and fluid velocity (flow) have been described in
Hjulstrøm curve (Fig.13). The fluid velocity at which particle becomes entrained in the flow has been
referred as ‘critical velocity’ or ‘entrainment velocity’ which has been used by hydrologist to
determine erosion and deposition in the river. If friction between sediment and riverbed were
reduced, the grain velocity will fall enough for the grain to be deposited. For cohesive sediment,
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09th – 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

erosion velocity increased with decreasing grain size. The curves are appropriate for flow depth
where the vertical transport can be neglected and it can be used as general indicator for sediment
transport [24,25,26]. However, recent studies reviewed that Hjulstrøm curve cannot be physically
reasonable for sediment transport. Such reviews were based on problem of velocities which not
physically correct variables for calculating whether sediment movement will occur without
consideration of shear stress. To determine if the average sediment size will be eroded need critical
shear stress evaluation as suggested by Shields, A. [27]. The measures of this shear stress give more
appropriate view of river ability to move sediments. Shields, A. [27] also suggested that when the
ratio of actual stress greater than critical shear stress, bed sediment will move and eroded. Erosion
and deposition process in the river also were complex due turbulent flow properties which have great
significance for sediment movement. Yet, the Hjulstrøm curve can be utilized to determine the
general ability of estuary too mobilize sediment [28]. Mobility of sediment indicates general
possibilities and overview of sediment erosion and deposition as low mobilize sediment tends to
settle; promoting sedimentation. High mobilize sediment will tends to be transported and induce
erosion. Under such circumstances and assumption, the sensitive area for erosion and deposition in
the estuary were determined during Northeast and Southwest monsoon. During highest high tide in
Northeast monsoon, the cohesive and loose sediment found to be highly mobilized downstream. This
situation triggered by several reasons: high amount of discharge transported high concentration of
loose and cohesive sediment; water column increased with increasing inflow and outflow thus reduce
settling rate; and ebb-dominant estuary characteristic. Thus, during Northeast monsoon, erosion
process was possible to be occurred along high velocities flow. The erosion involved loose materials
where the surface sediment characteristics around the area consist of sand, granules and pebbles; and
cohesive materials at the surface sediment consist of silt. At the area with low mobility, deposition
may occur involving both loose and cohesive material. In comparison with Northeast monsoon, the
sediment mobility found to be low throughout the estuary area, increased deposition and
sedimentation potential. Sensitive area of erosion and sedimentation during Northeast and Southwest
monsoon was shown as in Fig.14 and Fig.15.

Fig.13: The Hjulstrøm curve

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09th – 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

Fig.14: Sensitive area for erosion and sedimentation within the Pahang River estuary during
Northeast monsoon from sediment mobility.

Fig.15: Sensitive area for erosion and sedimentation within the Pahang River estuary during
Southwest monsoon from sediment mobility.

Conclusions

Based on field measurement and model simulation, the tidal elevation and freshwater discharge of
Pahang River were found to be higher during Northeast monsoon while flow velocity was higher
during Southwest monsoon. The estuary also showed ‘ebb-dominant’ characteristic during highest
high tide and lowest low tide in Northeast monsoon. In Southwest monsoon, the estuary showed
‘flood-dominant’ characteristics during highest high tide in and ‘ebb-dominant’ estuary during lowest
low tide. Freshwater discharge play major role in determining water elevation, fluxes, flow patterns,
and sediment mobility. Simulated current profiles also showed that it tend to slow down and circular
in the middle of the estuary. From sediment characteristics analysis, surface sediments mean size in

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09th – 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

Northeast monsoon found to be ranged between very coarse sand to medium silt based on
classification by Buchanan [23]. During Southwest monsoon, surface sediments mean size found to
be ranged between ‘very coarse sand’ to ‘fine silt’. Based on Hjulstrøm curve of critical velocity, the
estuary ability to mobilize loose and cohesive sediment is higher in Northeast monsoon than
Southwest monsoon. These suggest that the estuary exposed to possible erosion during highest high
tide in Northeast monsoon and sedimentation during lowest low tide in southwest monsoon. This
study provides some useful understanding on the hydrodynamic in Pahang River estuary as it is
important for sediment transport modelling.

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09th – 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

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