Environmental effects of Coastal Sedimentation: A Case study fo Shirazi-Funzi Lagoon

Abstract

Shirazi-Funzi Lagoon is situated about 70km Southwest of Mombasa. It occurs within longitudes 39°22'E and 39°27'E, and latitudes 4°30'S and 4°35'S and covers about 57km2. The study area lies in the coastal plain, wich is below the 30m contours, and is underlain by coral limestone of the Pleistocene age, and lagoonal deposits from both land and sea. Both the hinterlands at Shirazi and the Funzi Island are underlain by the MtoMkuu formation of upper and lower Cretaceous, of the Post Karoo systems. This formation is overlain by Pleistocene sands that cover the Funzi Island and a narrow strip of the coastline immediately north of Funzi Island.