RE-DESIGNING COASTAL SEDIMENT SAMPLING TECHNIQUE FOR

OPTIMAL DETECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF SUBSTANCES IN MICRO

QUANTITIES: HYPOTHESIS

*PETER A. JOHN & **ANTAI E. EYO

*Department of Microbiology &
** Department of Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanography
University of Calabar
Calabar-Nigeria.

*Corresponding Researcher: peanijo@yahoo.com; +234-803-9693897]

EXTRACT
The coastal terra in, whi ch is a n interface between open water and th e terrestrial ecosystem, has its
characteristics features. The hydrodynamic feature exhibi ted by such ecosystem allows for a constant but
periodical water rech arge, re-distribution and mixing of existing matters. The bio-components existing in this
terrain are also observed to have tole rating/ changing survival strategies than having strict/ rigid survival
strateg ies. This fact may not be applicable to transient/ foreign organism but specifically for flora/ indig enous
organisms of the coastal terrain. The coastal ecosystem also shares the phsico-chemical characteristics of
the open water and terrestrial ecosystem. The basic fact about this interface is that i t experiences a constant
dyna mism in characteristics. The in-flux of salt water towards the fresh water causes an increase volume of
the total water volume and speed in a circular pattern over time. This in turns causes a re-distribution of the
bio-physico-chemical characteristics, thereby leaving the entire ecosystem in a constant state of dynamism.
The resumption of the flood tide carries along with it particulate matter, which are deposited along the
coastal terrain at a relati vely calm period before the resumption of another ebb tide. This process allows for
the introduction o f strange an d common matters, which is add to the ecosystem. On resumption of ebb tide ,
water retires back, thereby causing a decrease in water volu me. Periodical retirement of water at ebb tide
creates traces on the surface of the coastal region (mud flat). The inertia experienced by the retiring water,
encourages th e formation of traces alongside deposition of matters in their micro and macro si zes, with
respect to height. During this process, each trace formed tends to have similar characte risti cs with
infinitesimal variations. For an exact or optimal micro-property assessment, composite sampling can be
carried out, in the case of assessing or detecting chemical, physical or biological components in micro
quanti ty. Th e alternative process can be done by sampling alon g the traces for a more accurate and quick
detection and i dentification of trace elements or components of intere st, such as toxin, enzymes etc.

On this basis, a hypothetical sampling design known as “CONCENTRIC COASTAL HYDROTRACE

SAMPLING DESIGN”, CCHSD is proposed for optimal assessment and detection of substances in micro
quanti ty, from coastal sediment sampling at ebb (low) tide.

PROPOSED DESIGN
CONCENTRIC COASTAL HYDROTRACE SAMPLING DESIGN (CCHSD)

Figure 1: Concentric Coastal Hydrotrace Sampling Design (CCHSD)

The inner the traces, the more concentrated the components of interest. This can also justify the fact that
more deposition can be felt at the inner interface region of a coastal ecosystem away from the open water.

There is a sure reason why sampling methods should be redesigned and considered to aid effective
sampling processes for easy detection and identification of sub stances of interest.