Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/11681/25653| Title: | Geomorphology and sediments of the nearshore continental shelf : Miami to Palm Beach, Florida |
| Authors: | Duane, David B. (David Beirlein), 1934- Meisburger, Edward P. |
| Keywords: | Geomorphology--Florida Sediments (Geology) Continental shelf--Florida |
| Publisher: | Coastal Engineering Research Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Memorandum (Coastal Engineering Research Center (U.S.));no. 29 |
| Abstract: | The Continental Shelf bordering southeastern Florida between Palm Beach and Miami was surveyed by the U. S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center to locate and evaluate sand deposits potentially usable for shore· protection and restoration projects. Survey data covered that portion of the Continental Shelf between 15- and 100-foot depths, and consisted of seismic reflection profiles and sediment ~ores of the sea floor and shallow subbottom strata. South of Boca Raton to Miami, much of the shelf is essentially rocky with a thin sediment veneer. Relatively thick deposits of sediment have accumulated locally in troughs on the shelf surface formed between low reef-like ridges lying parallel to shore. Shelf sediments south of Boca Raton consist almost entirely of sand-size calcareous skeletal fragments. North of Boca Raton to Palm Beach, most of the shelf is overlain by a thick blanket deposit of homogeneous fine-to-medium, gray sand about half of which consists of quartz particles and the remainder of calcareous skeletal fragments. A total volume of 201 million cubic yards of sand-size sediment occurs on the shelf south of Boca Raton. Although generally suitable for beach fill in terms of size, degradation of size by abrasion and fragmentation of the delicate particles may occur in the shore environment. More than 380 million cubic yards of sand size sediment lies on the shelf north of Boca Raton. However, because of its fine size, this sand is not considered ideally suited for use on local beaches. In terms of potential as beach sand, sand size sediment from the shelf bordering southeastern Florida is of marginal quality. |
| Description: | Technical Memorandum |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/25653 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Memorandum |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CERC Technical Memorandum No 29.pdf | 18.39 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |