Beach erosion experiment

[soccerboy]

Can you help? I need some ideas on setting up a simple experiment showing beach erosion. i want to see if there is a way to stop beach erosion by putting different structures in the ocean. Thanks!

[Ellums]

This sounds like a very interesting project. I think you might need some preliminary info and research into beach erosion, and structures used to prevent/slow it, before the experiment can be designed. Then you will need to see if you can make a scale model, to simulate conditions. Here is an organization that has some info and reports:

http://www.surfrider.org/stateofthebeach/home.asp

Good luck!

[Willz]

Hi soccerboy,

Like Ellums has mentioned, make sure you know some background information on beach erosion and structures created to prevent it before starting on your project. Here are some helpful links:
http://whyfiles.org/091beach/4.html
http://www.seafriends.org.nz/oceano/beacheng.htm

As for an actual experiment, it may be a bit difficult to simulate beach erosion by creating a scale model, since as far as I know, erosion does not happen very quickly. It may be challenging to see if certain structures are actually effective, but if you do decide to make a scale model, I suggest that you start as soon as possible so that the effects of the structures and erosion can be more evident.

Hope this helps!

[deleted-2131]

Hi soccerboy,

I'm very interested in your question. I'm from a coastal area, so questions like your are very relevant to me. In addition, I study the Earth Sciences, so I"m doubly interested.

Shorelines are dynamic systems that are almost constantly changing in some way. Shoreline erosion is indeed a relevant and important topic to be studying. Contrary to what Willz said, coastal erosion processes can take place very rapidly. Large storms are capable of eroding shorelines at rates that significantly exceed the average long-term rates. As more and more people come to live in coastal areas, it becomes increasingly important to understand these dynamic and everchanging environments.

You might consider using the following keywords and phrases in your background research: "groins sand longshore current", "breakwater", "seawall", "beach nourishment". Groins, breakwaters, and seawalls are all structures that are built in hopes of stopping beach erosion and do so with varying degrees of success. However, each of these also has some adverse effects. It would be interesting to build models of these structures and see what your model teaches you about them. Beach nourishment is a process in which sand is brought in from outside areas to replace sand that has been removed by erosional processes.

Let us know if we can be of further help. Good luck!