Grain-size trend analysis for the determination of non-biogenic sediment transport pathways on the Kwinte Bank (southern North Sea), in relation to sand dredging
Poulos, S.E.; Ballay, A. (2010). Grain-size trend analysis for the determination of non-biogenic sediment transport pathways on the Kwinte Bank (southern North Sea), in relation to sand dredging. J. Coast. Res. SI 51: 95-100. https://dx.doi.org/10.2112/SI51-009.1
In: Journal of Coastal Research. Coastal Education and Research Foundation: Fort Lauderdale. ISSN 0749-0208; e-ISSN 1551-5036, more
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| Keywords |
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| Author keywords |
linear sandbank; dredging effects; grain-size trend analysis; southern North Sea |
| Abstract |
Grain-size trend analysis is applied to the determination of sediment transport pathways over the Kwinte Bank, southern North Sea; which had been subjected to intensive dredging, within the context of the environmental impact of dredging activities. On the basis of the results of grain-size trend analysis, focused mainly upon the transportation of the non-biogenic sedimentary material (<2 mm), it appears that: (i) there is a main sediment pathway over the western (bank crest) and central (dredged area) part of the bank directed toward the NE; whilst a secondary pathway is established over its eastern gently-sloping flank, having a SE direction. Further, the present analysis shows that the area of the central (dredged) depression acts more as a ‘by-passing’ zone rather than as a depo-centre for the nonbiogenic sediments. Comparison undertaken with the results of an earlier investigation, for a non-dredged area at the northern end of the same bank, reveals that the depression due to dredging modifies significantly the sediment transport pathways; this may be attributed to a change in the seabed morphology which, in turn, modifies the nearbed hydrodynamics (related to tide and/or storm events). |
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