You are here

FAU Collections » FAU Research Repository » FAU Theses and Dissertations

Use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in a Study on Beach Morphodynamics at Red Reef Beach, Boca Raton, Florida

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2017
Summary:
The internal architecture of a beach system can provide clues into the processes involved in its formation, including depositional processes, and/or driving mechanisms (Billy et al., 2014). Several unique events such as cold fronts or Hurricane Irma caused conditions that resulted in erosion and accretion changes in Red Reef Beach - Boca Raton, throughout the year of 2017. Since the lateral extent of these changes is difficult to evaluate using traditional methods such as coring, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was tested, which allows for a good lateral resolution (cm scale), to image the distribution and evolution of these sediments. The objectives of this study were to 1) explore the lateral variability in the internal architecture of sediments in Red Reef beach in Boca Raton (FL) using an array of ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements constrained with coring and sediment analysis; 2) explore how dynamics of erosion and accretion induced by changes in wave activity and related to tide variation and storm events, may affect surface topography and the sedimentary internal architecture of beach deposits, using RTK GPS and GPR time-lapse measurements; 3) to explore changes in the lateral extent of the freshsaltwater interface along the beach profile in relation to tide variation and storm events. Reflectors identified in the GPR images showed some evidence of erosional and accretionary surfaces preserved in Red Reef beach. These measurements were repeated over time coinciding with certain events (such as Hurricane Irma) to explore their effects in terms of sediment erosion and accretion as reflected in changes in topography (using time-lapse GPS-RTK measurements), and changes in the internal sedimentary architecture (using time-lapse GPR measurements). The datasets collected also revealed the temporal evolution of the salt-freshwater interface, showing how the lateral extent of saltwater saturated sediment (inferred from areas of GPR signal attenuation along the profiles) evolved over time. This study shows the potential of GPR to provide information about beach sediment processes and dynamics at resolutions beyond traditional measurements (such as coring). It also shows the importance of combining methods that are complementary, such as the use of RTK GPS to explore changes in topography, and GPR that provides information on subsurface sedimentary architecture and the mechanism of change such as post-storm recovery. This study has implications for better understanding changes in coastal sedimentary deposits and processes, both at the subsurface, particularly after high-energy events, such as hurricanes, that result in rapid changes in erosion and/or accretion of sediments.
Title: Use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in a Study on Beach Morphodynamics at Red Reef Beach, Boca Raton, Florida.
159 views
36 downloads
Name(s): Camara dos Santos Porto, Sabrina, author
Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Thesis advisor
Comas, Xavier, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Geosciences
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2017
Date Issued: 2017
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 146 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The internal architecture of a beach system can provide clues into the processes involved in its formation, including depositional processes, and/or driving mechanisms (Billy et al., 2014). Several unique events such as cold fronts or Hurricane Irma caused conditions that resulted in erosion and accretion changes in Red Reef Beach - Boca Raton, throughout the year of 2017. Since the lateral extent of these changes is difficult to evaluate using traditional methods such as coring, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was tested, which allows for a good lateral resolution (cm scale), to image the distribution and evolution of these sediments. The objectives of this study were to 1) explore the lateral variability in the internal architecture of sediments in Red Reef beach in Boca Raton (FL) using an array of ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements constrained with coring and sediment analysis; 2) explore how dynamics of erosion and accretion induced by changes in wave activity and related to tide variation and storm events, may affect surface topography and the sedimentary internal architecture of beach deposits, using RTK GPS and GPR time-lapse measurements; 3) to explore changes in the lateral extent of the freshsaltwater interface along the beach profile in relation to tide variation and storm events. Reflectors identified in the GPR images showed some evidence of erosional and accretionary surfaces preserved in Red Reef beach. These measurements were repeated over time coinciding with certain events (such as Hurricane Irma) to explore their effects in terms of sediment erosion and accretion as reflected in changes in topography (using time-lapse GPS-RTK measurements), and changes in the internal sedimentary architecture (using time-lapse GPR measurements). The datasets collected also revealed the temporal evolution of the salt-freshwater interface, showing how the lateral extent of saltwater saturated sediment (inferred from areas of GPR signal attenuation along the profiles) evolved over time. This study shows the potential of GPR to provide information about beach sediment processes and dynamics at resolutions beyond traditional measurements (such as coring). It also shows the importance of combining methods that are complementary, such as the use of RTK GPS to explore changes in topography, and GPR that provides information on subsurface sedimentary architecture and the mechanism of change such as post-storm recovery. This study has implications for better understanding changes in coastal sedimentary deposits and processes, both at the subsurface, particularly after high-energy events, such as hurricanes, that result in rapid changes in erosion and/or accretion of sediments.
Identifier: FA00005947 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Beaches--Florida
Ground penetrating radar.
Sediments (Geology)--Analysis.
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005947
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.