The Amazon river is an important source of the sediment that is transported and accumulating along the coast of Suriname. As such it is an important factor in maintaining the coast line as this sediment is deposited in mud banks that move towards the shore and coalesce with it, thus preventing coastal erosion. Accordingly, a steady and adequate supply of sediment from the Amazon river is required especially with increased coastal erosion rates that may occur as a result of a rising sea level due to global warming. Yet at the same time, global warming may change the hydrological regime of the Amazon and affect its transport capacity affecting the sediment transport to its mouth. Furthermore, the sediment supply to the river may be altered as a result of land cover changes, including deforestation and sediment trapped in existing and future planned reservoirs.

The main objective of Saffa's research is to quantify how future changes will affect the average rate of sediment supply and its variability for the Surinam coast. This will lead to a better understanding of the intricacies involved and will play an important role in developing measures to protect the livelihoods of the Suriname coast population.