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Pitfalls of Ebb-Shoal Mining

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Pitfalls of Shoreline Stabilization

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 3))

Abstract

Ebb-tidal deltas or ebb shoals in moderate to high-energy environments often contain well-washed sandy sediments. These clean sands attract the attention of coastal engineers because they are commonly suitable for shore protection efforts such as beach renourishment (replenishment), dune restoration, and marsh remediation. Ebb-tidal deltas are sediment sinks where sandy materials are sequestered in deposits that can build up to such significant proportions that they form large coastal salients. In addition to sediments debouching from the inlet, longshore sediments are either trapped in the shoal or are bypassed in swash bars. Accumulation of sediments in these depocenters at the mouths of inlets often appear as a ready-made point borrow source that can be accessed for shore protection by dredging and placement on adjacent eroded shores. Ebb-tidal deltas are, however, in delicate balance with inlets, longshore drift, beach-dune systems and overall coastal stability. Removal of sediment volume by dredging from deltas interrupts the sand-sharing balance between inlets, ebb-tidal shoals, coupled beach-dune systems, wetlands, and shoreline stability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA

    Charles W. Finkl

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  1. Charles W. Finkl
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Correspondence to Charles W. Finkl .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , School of Environmental Sciences, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, United Kingdom

    J. Andrew G. Cooper

  2. Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, 27708-0228, North Carolina, USA

    Orrin H. Pilkey

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Finkl, C.W. (2012). Pitfalls of Ebb-Shoal Mining. In: Cooper, J., Pilkey, O. (eds) Pitfalls of Shoreline Stabilization. Coastal Research Library, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4123-2_3

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