Using Fine-Grained Sediment and Wave Attenuation as a New Measure for Evaluating the Efficacy of Offshore Breakwaters in Stabilizing an Eroded Muddy Coast: Insights from Ca Mau, the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

Offshore breakwaters can be effective in reducing the energy of incident waves through dissipation, refraction or reflection. Breakwaters are increasingly constructed to stabilize eroded muddy coasts, particularly developing countries. Accumulation fine-grained sediment and wave attenuation two attributes a stable coast. Effective interventions stabilizing coasts include important elements: accumulation reduction. The efficacy offshore is, however, not yet adequately understood. A crucial question needing attention is whether should used evaluating these coasts. To address this issue, pile-rock breakwater Huong Mai, Tieu Dua Ca Mau, Vietnam was selected as an appropriate example regard. were tested means investigate Mai structure study undertaken using field-based measurements semi-structured interviews three stages between October 2016 December 2020. We found that has had limited dissipating waves, but we no evidence due inappropriate structural design. There also monitoring system place, leading difficulties its terms sediment. gaps shoreline have been explained, resulting substantial challenges replicating elsewhere. strengthened supplementary measures granulometric tests order improve methods provide new insights