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Title: EVALUATION OF LOCAL OFFSHORE SEDIMENTS FOR COASTAL RESTORATION PROJECTS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL, USA.
Creator: Palaparthi, Jyothirmayi, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Open-coast beach-dune environments are vulnerable to erosion, such as from storms or interruption of littoral drift. Although protected from event-driven wave energy, backbarrier shorelines are also susceptible to erosion, due to tidal currents and boat wakes. A common response to mitigate erosion is to place sediment and restore the environment. For placement on beaches, a significant effort has been made to identify offshore resources available; however, offshore resources have seldom been...
Show moreOpen-coast beach-dune environments are vulnerable to erosion, such as from storms or interruption of littoral drift. Although protected from event-driven wave energy, backbarrier shorelines are also susceptible to erosion, due to tidal currents and boat wakes. A common response to mitigate erosion is to place sediment and restore the environment. For placement on beaches, a significant effort has been made to identify offshore resources available; however, offshore resources have seldom been considered for dune or backbarrier shoreline restoration. This study evaluates the geotechnical sediment properties of offshore sediments in proven borrow areas for beach nourishment and reclassifies them for placement in dunes and along the backbarrier in Palm Beach County, Florida. Two different methods calculate volume of offshore resources available for dune or backbarrier projects, including numerical calculations and interpolation of volume through SURFER. Because existing proven borrow areas are delineated for beach nourishment, less volume of sediment available in these areas for other coastal environments. The results of this study suggest that identifying offshore sediment sources for lower-energy environments would not adversely impact sediment needed for beach nourishment. As coastal environments are increasingly threatened by climate change and sea level rise, sediment resources become scarcer, the need to efficiently and effectively use sediments will be of utmost importance for scientists, engineers, and managers in their efforts to protect coastal habitat and communities.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013337
Subject Headings: Sedimentation and deposition, Coastal erosion, Palm Beach County (Fla ), Sediments (Geology)--Analysis, Dunes, Coastal restoration
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: COASTAL SYSTEM VARIABILITY OF THE BEACH-NEARSHORE ENVIRONMENT FROM NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENIC INFLUENCES.
Creator: Brown, Nicholas, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The coastal system provides habitat, storm protection, and economic value. In particular, Florida’s beaches are subject to chronic coastal erosion resulting from natural and anthropogenic influences. The most common mitigation response is the nature-based solution of beach nourishment. While this method is widely considered effective, quantifying changes from the dredge and placement on the physical environment is critical to ensure best management practices. The first step in addressing the...
Show moreThe coastal system provides habitat, storm protection, and economic value. In particular, Florida’s beaches are subject to chronic coastal erosion resulting from natural and anthropogenic influences. The most common mitigation response is the nature-based solution of beach nourishment. While this method is widely considered effective, quantifying changes from the dredge and placement on the physical environment is critical to ensure best management practices. The first step in addressing the need to identify gaps in knowledge relating to natural and human-induced changes to the continental shelf, a comprehensive literature review of the US East and Gulf coast continental shelves was conducted identifying needs for more expansive sand searches, a greater understanding of storm impacts on shelf morphodynamics, planning for long-term use of offshore sediment sources, and the impact of dredging on habitats. This study then evaluated the northern Palm Beach County beaches adjacent to the Jupiter Inlet over multiple years to understand the effects of natural and human influence on the morphology and sedimentology of the beach-nearshore environment. Beach sediment was coarser near the Inlet and finer downdrift (south). Seasonal changes in the nearshore from storms decreased the grain size and eroded beaches, whereas nourishment increased grain size and expanded beach width. Influences of physical characteristics of the beach-nearshore environment on the ecosystem were examined based on two important marine species: loggerhead sea turtles and blacktip sharks. No adverse impacts from restoration activities were found on loggerhead reproductive success. However, the active 2020 hurricane season resulted in lower reproductive success metrics. The blacktip shark migration coincides with the typical nourishment construction window. High turbidity in the nearshore was documented in association with multiple nourishment events during the two-year study. The blacktip sharks were quantified in the nearshore south of the nourishment; however, whether the turbidity was influencing the shark aggregates or habitat preference remains unknown. These results support numerous benefits of beach nourishment but suggest further research is needed to evaluate how project construction may impact nearshore fauna. The findings of this study are important for coastal managers who may consider reviewing best management practices of the beach-nearshore system.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013982
Subject Headings: Coastal zone management, Beach nourishment, Coastal zone management--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Comparison of the spatiotemporal variability of dredge material at two inletadjacent beaches.
Creator: Scheinkman, Austin, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: This study analyzed two different inlet management strategies being utilized in Palm Beach County and compared how the downdrift beaches were affected by those strategies throughout the year. Cross-sectional beach profiles, Digital Elevation Model comparisons, and subaerial volumetric change were analyzed for patterns in postplacement beach morphology. Trends in cross- and alongshore grainsize were also analyzed. In Boca Raton the inlet was dredged multiple times a month depending on the...
Show moreThis study analyzed two different inlet management strategies being utilized in Palm Beach County and compared how the downdrift beaches were affected by those strategies throughout the year. Cross-sectional beach profiles, Digital Elevation Model comparisons, and subaerial volumetric change were analyzed for patterns in postplacement beach morphology. Trends in cross- and alongshore grainsize were also analyzed. In Boca Raton the inlet was dredged multiple times a month depending on the level of infilling and the material was placed on the beach immediately downdrift of the inlet. The downdrift beach of the Boca Raton inlet underwent a cycle of shoreline advance in the summer and shoreline retreat in the winter. It was dominated by seasonal processes and its morphologic change was the direct result of shifts in the wind and waves without having a beach more than 60 to 80 meters over the course of the study. In Jupiter, the inlet was dredged on a near annual basis and the material was placed 600m south of the inlet. The size and scope of the larger one-time annual nourishment project resulted in beach widths upwards of 120 meters. The equilibration process that followed in both the cross- and alongshore are what dominated the morphological trends experienced at the site. The results of this study should help coastal managers without current inlet management strategies, compare and overview two different successful inlet management options. For future studies, researchers should extend the monitoring period and extend profiles to the depth of closure to capture. Sediment is a valuable resource, and it’s important for best management practices to maximize benefits and protect downdrift beaches for long-term resiliency of coastal communities.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014010
Subject Headings: Inlets, Coastal zone management, Sediment, Beaches--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys and traditional methods to examine influences on loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nest site selection.
Creator: Manestar, Summer, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: This study examined the environmental and anthropogenic factors that may influence loggerhead sea turtle nest site selection and how these factors vary between successful nesting attempts and false crawls on a high-density sea turtle nesting beach in Boca Raton, Florida. Beach morphology, sand texture, and nests’ proximity to artificial structures were measured using a combination of drone-based photogrammetry, traditional surveys with Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK GPS),...
Show moreThis study examined the environmental and anthropogenic factors that may influence loggerhead sea turtle nest site selection and how these factors vary between successful nesting attempts and false crawls on a high-density sea turtle nesting beach in Boca Raton, Florida. Beach morphology, sand texture, and nests’ proximity to artificial structures were measured using a combination of drone-based photogrammetry, traditional surveys with Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK GPS), and sediment granulometry. Proximity to dune crossover stairs was significantly different between nests and false crawls, and the probability of a false crawl occurring decreased as proximity to dune crossover stairs increased. The results of this study will provide researchers with a new tool for nest monitoring and a better understanding of the microhabitat cues that may influence loggerhead sea turtle nest site selection and aid in guiding beach and sea turtle management decisions.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014184
Subject Headings: Loggerhead sea turtles, Drone aircraft, Sea turtles--Nests, Geomorphology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: LONG-TERM NATIONAL & REGIONAL BEACH NOURISHMENT TRENDS & DRIVERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR COASTAL RESILIENCE.
Creator: Palaparthi, Jyothirmayi, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: With the escalating challenges posed by global warming, sea-level rise, and natural disasters like hurricanes and tropical storms, coastal erosion has become a critical issue along the US coasts. The economic significance of U.S. coastlines, multitude of services offered by these coastal areas, underscores the critical importance of addressing the threats posed by both natural and human-induced factors that lead to erosion and coastal loss. To enhance future planning and to promote resilience...
Show moreWith the escalating challenges posed by global warming, sea-level rise, and natural disasters like hurricanes and tropical storms, coastal erosion has become a critical issue along the US coasts. The economic significance of U.S. coastlines, multitude of services offered by these coastal areas, underscores the critical importance of addressing the threats posed by both natural and human-induced factors that lead to erosion and coastal loss. To enhance future planning and to promote resilience of these invaluable coastal resources, it is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies employed to mitigate coastal erosion in response to the diverse array of driving forces. A widely embraced solution to this erosion, caused by both natural forces and human activities, is beach nourishment. Historical assessments of beach nourishment at the regional level have been conducted, however, there remains a gap in national-level analysis examining the overarching trends and the diverse factors that impact these trends. This study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on beach nourishment practices encompassing 16 coastal states, including the top ten highly nourished states, and an additional six states selected from various coastal regions. It delves into the multifaceted factors that shape these practices, offering a holistic understanding of the beach nourishment landscape at a national level. An extensive analysis of beach nourishment trends and the influence of factors such as sea level rise, storms, hurricanes, hurricane categories, and coastal management approval years on beach nourishment activities was conducted.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014309
Subject Headings: Beach nourishment, Coastal zone management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Morphologic Evolution and Alongshore Variability of Two Nourishment Projects in Southeast FL, USA.
Creator: Shahan, Thomas A., Roberts Briggs, Tiffany, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: For the last several decades, beach nourishment has been a widely implemented erosion mitigation strategy along many developed coastlines. Measuring subsequent patterns of erosion and accretion can help elucidate local sediment transport trends, improve time scale predictions of profile equilibration, decrease renourishment intervals, and adjust future engineering design of nourishments. This study evaluates the morphologic evolution of two beach nourishment projects (e.g., characterized as a...
Show moreFor the last several decades, beach nourishment has been a widely implemented erosion mitigation strategy along many developed coastlines. Measuring subsequent patterns of erosion and accretion can help elucidate local sediment transport trends, improve time scale predictions of profile equilibration, decrease renourishment intervals, and adjust future engineering design of nourishments. This study evaluates the morphologic evolution of two beach nourishment projects (e.g., characterized as a full and partial nourishment) at the same location in Boca Raton, Florida using time series beach profiles, surface sediment samples, and wave data. More than 85% of sediment volume was retained within the full nourishment six months after project completion, compared to 50% retained eight months after completion of the partial nourishment. Wave energy largely influenced immediate post nourishment change. Profile equilibration was controlled by high-energy events (i.e., hurricanes) for both nourishments.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005973
Subject Headings: Beach nourishment, Florida--Boca Raton, Erosion--Florida, Sediment transport
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in a Study on Beach Morphodynamics at Red Reef Beach, Boca Raton, Florida.
Creator: Camara dos Santos Porto, Sabrina, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Comas, Xavier, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: 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...
Show moreThe 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.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005947
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Beaches--Florida, Ground penetrating radar., Sediments (Geology)--Analysis.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Using Low-Cost Multi-Depth Samplers to Characterize the Variability of Specific Conductance in Coastal South Florida Beaches.
Creator: Shaver, Kyle David, Root, Tara, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: A small body of saline rich water rests in the saturated zone between the foredune and the shoreline at certain beaches. This region is beneath the water table and the top of the fresher groundwater, known as the Upper Saline Plume (USP). The USP is significant because density driven flow and chemical fluxes between freshwater, rainwater, and seawater contribute to biogeochemical processes in the subterranean estuary (Duque et al. 2020). The occurrence of the USP has been observed along...
Show moreA small body of saline rich water rests in the saturated zone between the foredune and the shoreline at certain beaches. This region is beneath the water table and the top of the fresher groundwater, known as the Upper Saline Plume (USP). The USP is significant because density driven flow and chemical fluxes between freshwater, rainwater, and seawater contribute to biogeochemical processes in the subterranean estuary (Duque et al. 2020). The occurrence of the USP has been observed along beaches that have a moderate to gentle slope, fine to medium grain size, and higher wave energy. The goal of this study was to determine if conditions for the presence of USP are consistent throughout different coastal beaches in southeast Florida while mapping the groundwater salinity across the beach. To identify the existence and delimit the boundary interface of the USP in the southeastern coast of Florida, multi–depth samplers were designed, built, and deployed along cross-shore transects at Jupiter and Gulfstream Beaches in Palm Beach County, FL. Groundwater samples were extracted along the transects to measure specific conductance. Although this study did not confirm the existence of the USP in South Florida beaches, an intermediate zone of water that is in-between the specific conductance ranges of relatively freshwater and relatively salty water was identified. Furthermore, the size of this intermediate zone was corresponded with beach slope, showing larger intermediate zones for steeper slopes and vice versa. Finally, temporal changes in the location and morphology of this intermediate zone were also identified in relation to a distinct disturbance event (Hurricane Isaias) which resulted in elevated ocean water levels.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013625
Subject Headings: Beaches--Florida, Freshwater, Seawater, Water resources--Management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Inlet-Adjacent Shoreline Behavior at Three Stabilized Inlets in Palm Beach County, FL (USA).
Creator: Vandamas, Edward A, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Shorelines are a primary source of attraction for the nearly two million tourists who visit Palm Beach County annually. Many of Palm Beach County beaches are located on barrier islands, separated by a series of inlets which serve as access points to the Intracoastal Waterway. However, inlets are often cited as a source of erosion, through interruption of littoral drift and interaction with nearshore hydrodynamics (e.g., causing wave diffraction or refraction). In an effort to mitigate...
Show moreShorelines are a primary source of attraction for the nearly two million tourists who visit Palm Beach County annually. Many of Palm Beach County beaches are located on barrier islands, separated by a series of inlets which serve as access points to the Intracoastal Waterway. However, inlets are often cited as a source of erosion, through interruption of littoral drift and interaction with nearshore hydrodynamics (e.g., causing wave diffraction or refraction). In an effort to mitigate potential negative impacts of the economically important tidal inlets, Palm Beach County has installed a sand transfer plant (STP) at two inlet locations, the Lake Worth Inlet and the South Lake Worth Inlet. Through analysis of annual aerial photography and beach profile surveys taken between 2000 and 2009, this study will determine what effect, if any, these sand transfer plants are having on the inlet-adjacent shorelines north and south of the two inlets with STP, as well as an inlet without an STP (Boca Inlet). This study hopes to increase the understanding of shoreline dynamics in Palm Beach County, which could recognize important alongshore patterns, such as the occurrence of erosional hot spots, to assist in future mitigation efforts.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004554, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004554
Subject Headings: Beach erosion -- Florida -- Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention, Beach erosion -- Florida -- South Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention, Coastal changes -- Florida -- Palm Beach County, Coastal zone management -- Florida -- Palm Beach County, Geodynamics, Soil conservation -- Florida -- Lake Worth Inlet, Soil conservation -- Florida -- South Lake Worth Inlet, Sustainable development
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Storm-Induced Neashore Sediment Transport.
Creator: Warren, William F., Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Each year storms impact coastal areas, sometimes causing significant morphologic change. Cold fronts are associated with increased wave energy and frequently occur during the winter months along many coasts, such as the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The higher wave energy can be responsible for a large quantity of the sediment transport resulting in rapid morphologic change. Using streamer traps, the vertical distribution of onshore-directed sediment transport during two different cold fronts...
Show moreEach year storms impact coastal areas, sometimes causing significant morphologic change. Cold fronts are associated with increased wave energy and frequently occur during the winter months along many coasts, such as the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The higher wave energy can be responsible for a large quantity of the sediment transport resulting in rapid morphologic change. Using streamer traps, the vertical distribution of onshore-directed sediment transport during two different cold fronts on two low-wave energy beaches (i.e., along the northern Yucatan and southeast Florida) were compared with the resulting morphologic change. The objectives of this study are to: 1) analyze the grain size distribution (statistics) of sediment transported during a cold front, 2) compare the vertical sediment distribution throughout the water column, and 3) compare characteristics of bed sediment to the sediment within the water column. Understanding the changing grain size distribution of bottom sediments in comparison to directional transport (throughout the water column) should help determine the sediment fraction(s) being eroded or deposited, which could greatly improve predictions of storm-induced morphology change.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004830, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004830
Subject Headings: Coast changes--Mathematical models., Coastal zone management., Geomorphology., Sediment transport--Analysis., Coastal engineering--Mathematical models.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Mapping the Fresh-Saltwater Transition Zone Across the Beach Environment Using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR).
Creator: Becker, Joseph Michael, Roberts Briggs, Tiffany, Comas, Xavier, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: As sea level rises, saltwater migration can threaten coastal ecosystems and beach-dune environments, which negatively impacts coastal flora. This study uses ground penetrating radar (GPR) to evaluate the spatiotemporal variability of saltwater migration in the near shore at high lateral resolution (i.e. cm) by using daily micro tidal cycles as analogs to infer saltwater migration. Time-lapse GPR profiles were collected at low and high tide capturing phase lags of the tidal flux through...
Show moreAs sea level rises, saltwater migration can threaten coastal ecosystems and beach-dune environments, which negatively impacts coastal flora. This study uses ground penetrating radar (GPR) to evaluate the spatiotemporal variability of saltwater migration in the near shore at high lateral resolution (i.e. cm) by using daily micro tidal cycles as analogs to infer saltwater migration. Time-lapse GPR profiles were collected at low and high tide capturing phase lags of the tidal flux through different substrates. GPR measurements were collected at two sites in Miami with contrasting lithologies: a) Crandon Park, composed of unconsolidated sand; and b) the Barnacle Historic State Park, composed of the Miami Limestone Formation. Laboratory-scale GPR measurements were collected over samples mimicking field conditions. The results may be helpful to identify regions vulnerable to saltwater migration in the near shore based on lithological variability, and to mitigate negative impacts for flora in beach-dune habitats during sea level rise.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013183
Subject Headings: Ground penetrating radar, Saltwaters, Seashore ecology, Coastal ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Hurricane Irma Impact and Post-Storm Beach Morphology Evolution in Boca Raton, FL.
Creator: Hart, Richard M., III, Roberts Briggs, Tiffany, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Beach morphology changes naturally with seasonal and event-driven variability in the wave climate, as well as due to anthropogenic activities such as erosion mitigation efforts. In 2017, category four Hurricane Irma caused beach erosion and dune overwash in Boca Raton, FL. Immediate post-storm perigean spring tides coupled with typical winter high-wind conditions imposed a regime of spatially and temporally extended meteorologic and morphologic variability. This study evaluates the...
Show moreBeach morphology changes naturally with seasonal and event-driven variability in the wave climate, as well as due to anthropogenic activities such as erosion mitigation efforts. In 2017, category four Hurricane Irma caused beach erosion and dune overwash in Boca Raton, FL. Immediate post-storm perigean spring tides coupled with typical winter high-wind conditions imposed a regime of spatially and temporally extended meteorologic and morphologic variability. This study evaluates the morphologic evolution and post-storm recovery in the first year following Hurricane Irma. Time-series topographic surveys and surface sediment samples were collected. Patterns of accretion and erosion were evaluated with regionally measured water and wind levels. Recovery morphology was generally through berm-building, but lacked shoreline stability. Storm impact regime, mitigation structures, and sediment transport patterns drove the recovery. Total volume lost above the 0 m contour due to the storm was not fully recovered within the year, with a large volume measured in the south.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013213
Subject Headings: Hurricane Irma, 2017, Boca Raton (Fla.), Beach erosion
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Event-driven Nearshore Sediment Transport and Morphodynamics of a Beach in Boca Raton, Florida.
Creator: Priddy, Michael S., Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Tropical storms and mid-latitude cyclones are major drivers of coastal change and damage in coastal communities. Beaches act as a first line of defense against storms, as well as provide recreation, contribute to the economy, and serve as ecological habitat for coastal flora and fauna. Throughout the year, meteorological event-driven increases in wave energy result in higher amounts of sediment transport that cause rapid coastal zone morphology alterations and threaten these beach functions....
Show moreTropical storms and mid-latitude cyclones are major drivers of coastal change and damage in coastal communities. Beaches act as a first line of defense against storms, as well as provide recreation, contribute to the economy, and serve as ecological habitat for coastal flora and fauna. Throughout the year, meteorological event-driven increases in wave energy result in higher amounts of sediment transport that cause rapid coastal zone morphology alterations and threaten these beach functions. This study uses streamer traps to evaluate cohesionless sediment dynamics in the surf zone and storm-induced morphology change in Boca Raton, Florida. The quantitative and sedimentological characteristics of sediment collected in the bottom streamer trap bins was larger grains with a higher capture weight near the seabed compared to sediment captured in the middle and upper streamer trap bins during both the cold front and the tropical storm. A greater quantity of sediment was captured in transport due to the tropical storm compared to the cold front. Morphology change observed as a result of the cold front included berm erosion, swash zone and foreshore accretion, and erosion beyond the -1.0m contour elevation. Analysis of the morphology observed post-tropical storm included berm accretion, and swash zone and foreshore erosion that continued seaward to the end of the profile. Dean number calculations using pre-cold front sediments and wave parameters predicted erosion, and the post-cold front BMAP measurements confirmed this prediction. Dean number calculations using pre-tropical storm sediments and wave parameters predicted accretion and the post-tropical storm BMAP measurements invalidated this prediction at all capture locations, although above the 1.0m contour the berm did exhibit accretion. Results of this study aim to quantify granulometric differences in event-driven sediment transport in Boca Raton, FL for improved prediction capabilities. Given the current trajectory of climate change, sea-level rise, and increased storm intensity, better understanding the morphological impact of different classes of storms is necessary to ensure and improve coastal resiliency and management.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014005
Subject Headings: Sediment transport, Boca Raton (Fla.), Geomorphology, Beaches
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: MICROPLASTICS IN MANGROVE AND BEACH SEDIMENTS ON SOUTHEAST FLORIDA BARRIER ISLANDS.
Creator: O’Brien, Kayla Shae, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Plastic pollution in the marine environment is a global occurrence. Microplastics have been documented in numerous marine systems and organisms. Coastal estuaries and beach systems are at high risk for microplastic pollution. The distribution, abundance, and hazards microplastics present in these marine environments is not fully understood but are widely recognized as needed to support efforts aiming to protect and enhance these extremely valuable marine systems. This project aimed to...
Show morePlastic pollution in the marine environment is a global occurrence. Microplastics have been documented in numerous marine systems and organisms. Coastal estuaries and beach systems are at high risk for microplastic pollution. The distribution, abundance, and hazards microplastics present in these marine environments is not fully understood but are widely recognized as needed to support efforts aiming to protect and enhance these extremely valuable marine systems. This project aimed to quantify the abundance and variation of microplastics in estuarine mangrove and open coast beach sediments on Southeast Florida barrier islands, which are vulnerable and important coastal ecosystems. Barrier islands serve as a buffer between Florida’s wetland environments, reefs, and other marine habitats and may serve as a conduit or temporary sink for microplastics entering the ocean. The microplastic pollution present in estuarine mangrove and open coast beach systems may also elucidate patterns of microplastic pollution in the surrounding or similar coastal environments. There have been no extensive studies or monitoring efforts evaluating microplastics in Southeast Florida barrier islands sediments, nor comparing geomorphic properties of an area on microplastic accumulation. Study sites included back barrier estuarine mangroves and open coast beaches at three regionally similar but geomorphically distinct study sites throughout Palm Beach County, Florida. The sites were sampled seasonally in 2022 (i.e., summer and winter) to quantify the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014354
Subject Headings: Microplastics, Microplastics--Environmental aspects, Mangrove, Coastal sediments
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES AND SEDIMENTOLOGICAL SIGNATURES RESULTING FROM HURRICANE IAN IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
Creator: McCormick, W. Mathew, Roberts, Tiffany Briggs, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian, a large Category 4 hurricane, caused catastrophic damage and significant morphologic change along the southwest Florida barrier islands. This study evaluates the morphologic changes and sedimentological signatures of deposits resulting from Hurricane Ian through a combination of sediment cores, RTK-GPS beach profiles, and pre- and post-storm digital elevation models. During the storm, bidirectional sediment transport processes occurred along both...
Show moreOn September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian, a large Category 4 hurricane, caused catastrophic damage and significant morphologic change along the southwest Florida barrier islands. This study evaluates the morphologic changes and sedimentological signatures of deposits resulting from Hurricane Ian through a combination of sediment cores, RTK-GPS beach profiles, and pre- and post-storm digital elevation models. During the storm, bidirectional sediment transport processes occurred along both developed and undeveloped shorelines, producing extensive washover deposits and ebb scour channels from the flood and ebb surges, respectively. Washover deposits contained interbedded sand and shell fragments with vertical grain size distributions dependent on position relative to the dune crest. Both washover deposits and ebb scour channels formed along dune crest elevational lows and were limited by dense vegetation and anthropogenic structures. Results from this study can be used to better constrain morphologic changes resulting from bidirectional sediment transport processes during large magnitude storm events.
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Date Issued: 2024
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014383
Subject Headings: Hurricane Ian, Geomorphology--Florida, Coastal sediments
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF BEACH NOURISHMENT PROJECTS CONSTRUCTED WITH BENEFICIAL USE OF DREDGE MATERIAL IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Creator: Inman, Camryn Leigh, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Sourcing sediment from adjacent inlets for placement on eroded downdrift beaches is an increasingly common practice, as an inlet sources’ proximity to a placement site reduces the transportation cost of a project and is considered a beneficial use of the dredge material (BUDM). This project aimed to compare two nourishment projects using adjacent inlet sediment sources for changes in water quality, morphology, and sedimentology at two geographically similar locations in southeast Florida. In...
Show moreSourcing sediment from adjacent inlets for placement on eroded downdrift beaches is an increasingly common practice, as an inlet sources’ proximity to a placement site reduces the transportation cost of a project and is considered a beneficial use of the dredge material (BUDM). This project aimed to compare two nourishment projects using adjacent inlet sediment sources for changes in water quality, morphology, and sedimentology at two geographically similar locations in southeast Florida. In 2023, Jupiter Beach Park (Jupiter, FL) and South Inlet Park Beach (Boca Raton, FL) were nourished using sediment from the adjacent inlet system. Jupiter was nourished with sediment from the inlet’s sand trap and Boca Raton was nourished with sediment from the ebb shoal. Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the water column is closely associated with other properties of water including temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. A sudden increase in suspended sediment in nearshore water can be triggered by anthropogenic activity, like nourishment, as well as natural occurrences, like storms. Sampling began prior to the initiation of nourishment (February) and continued throughout hurricane season (May – November). Sediment samples were analyzed for moment method statistics (i.e., mean, standard deviation/sorting) at half-phi intervals above 63μm. Fine sediment (<63μm) was dried and weighed. Surface and bottom water samples were collected and measured for SSC, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity to analyze changes in response to nourishment.
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Date Issued: 2024
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014477
Subject Headings: Beach nourishment, Sediments (Geology), Palm Beach County (Fla.), Coastal zone management
Format: Document (PDF)

Beach nourishment (4)	+ -
Coastal zone management (4)	+ -
Beaches--Florida (3)	+ -
Boca Raton (Fla.) (2)	+ -
Coastal sediments (2)	+ -

Geomorphology (2)	+ -
Sediment transport (2)	+ -
Beach erosion (1)	+ -
Beach erosion -- Florida -- Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention (1)	+ -
Beach erosion -- Florida -- South Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention (1)	+ -
Beaches (1)	+ -
Coast changes--Mathematical models. (1)	+ -
Coastal changes -- Florida -- Palm Beach County (1)	+ -
Coastal ecology (1)	+ -
Coastal engineering--Mathematical models. (1)	+ -
Coastal erosion (1)	+ -
Coastal restoration (1)	+ -
Coastal zone management -- Florida -- Palm Beach County (1)	+ -
Coastal zone management--Florida (1)	+ -
Coastal zone management. (1)	+ -
Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University (1)	+ -
Drone aircraft (1)	+ -
Dunes (1)	+ -
Erosion--Florida (1)	+ -
Florida--Boca Raton (1)	+ -
Freshwater (1)	+ -
Geodynamics (1)	+ -
Geomorphology--Florida (1)	+ -
Geomorphology. (1)	+ -
Ground penetrating radar (1)	+ -

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (16)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (16)	+ -
Department of Geosciences (15)	+ -
Briggs, Tiffany Roberts (12)	+ -
Roberts Briggs, Tiffany (3)	+ -

Comas, Xavier (2)	+ -
Palaparthi, Jyothirmayi (2)	+ -
Becker, Joseph Michael (1)	+ -
Brown, Nicholas (1)	+ -
Camara dos Santos Porto, Sabrina (1)	+ -
Department of Environmental Sciences (1)	+ -
Hart, Richard M., III (1)	+ -
Inman, Camryn Leigh (1)	+ -
Manestar, Summer (1)	+ -
McCormick, W. Mathew (1)	+ -
O’Brien, Kayla Shae (1)	+ -
Priddy, Michael S. (1)	+ -
Roberts, Tiffany Briggs (1)	+ -
Root, Tara (1)	+ -
Scheinkman, Austin (1)	+ -
Shahan, Thomas A. (1)	+ -
Shaver, Kyle David (1)	+ -
Vandamas, Edward A (1)	+ -
Warren, William F. (1)	+ -

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