| Summary |
This thesis presents the results of an aeolian sediment transport study done from April 1994 to April 1995 in the barrier island beach/dunes of Coquina Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina. The dunes on the barrier island have been altered to restrict the landward transport of sediment by overwash processes. Therefore, it appears that, in this system, landward sediment transport can only be accomplished by aeolian processes. This provides an opportunity to measure aeolian sediment transfers to determine if dune migration can occur solely by wind processes. This study employs long and short-term wind records, sediment accumulation traps, erosion pins, and elevation surveys to collect data on wind regimes, sediment transport, erosion and deposition, and topographical changes. The data allow determination of what and where the rates of sediment transport are, and which areas of the beach/dune are eroding or accreting. Results indicate that onshore winds are transporting greater amounts of sediment than offshore winds. The foredune blowouts at the site are facilitating the landward transfer of sediment through the foredune. The process of onshore aeolian sediment transportation at Coquina Beach is causing the landward migration of the foredune. |
