Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1. Location of the study area showing nine sampling stations.
Samples were collected from the study area by using transect method along with
stratified random technique. Excellent discussions were provided in the literature to justify
the use of transects when sampling along environmental gradients and the use of stratified
techniques (
e.g.
, the elevation gradient; Kent and Coker, 1992; Sutherland, 1997, Elzinga et
al.
,
1998; Neckles and Dionne, 2000). A preliminary survey of the study area was made to
identify the sampling station. A plot of measuring 50x350m
2
size was drawn in the study area.
Inside the plot three transects of 50m length were drawn parallel to the coast from the
landward to seaward position. The transect that was drawn in the Mean High Water Spring
Tide Mark (MHWS) was identified as T
1
. The transect which was drawn in the Mean Tide
Mark (MTM) was marked as T
2
. Another transect that was drawn in the Mean Low High
Water Neap Tide Mark (MHWN) was identified as T
3
. Three sampling stations namely T
1
S
1
,
T
1
S
2
and T
1
S
3
were set on the transect T
1
. Similarly stations T
2
S
1
, T
2
S
2
, T
2
S
3
and stations
T
3
S
1
, T
3
S
2
, T
3
S
3
were set on the transect T
2
and T
3
respectively. Each stations were set
equidistant in the same transect. During the field work, a portable GPS was utilized for
