ABSTRACTS / RESUMES - Comitato Glaciologico Italiano

MERVIN OLIVIER 1,2 & GERALD GARLAND 1
Data collection and analysis for the study of foredune formation
on the East Coast of South Africa
1 Geographical & Environmental Sciences, University of Natal (Durban),
P/Bag X10, Dalbridge 4014, South Africa
2 Geography, University of Transkei (Butterworth),
P/Bag X5092, Umtata, South Africa
As part of a study assessing the effects of inland impoundments
on the lower reaches and adjacent coast of the Tugela
river, Natal, dune formation and growth was surveyed in
detail at regular intervals for a period of four years.
Amongst the techniques used were Abney level cross sections,
tacheometric and theodelite mapping, and real-time
Gps surveys. An historical perspective was obtained from
analysis of air photos from 1937 to 1994. To analyse the
data certain digital terrain models were employed.
This paper critically reviews the results of survey and
analysis techniques used, discusses a number of difficulties
encountered and makes suggestions for future surveys.
JEFF OLLERHEAD
Quantifying shoreline geomorphology at Cape Jourimain,
NB, Canada
Department of Geography, Mount Allison University, Sackville,
New Brunswick, EOA3CO Canada
Cape Jourimain is the point on the New Brunswick shoreline
where the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward
Island is attached (fig. 1). This area was studied extensively
prior to the granting of government approval for construction
of the bridge. Since construction began in 1995, a wide
variety of ongoing studies has been conducted in the
area, both to enhance the existing database and as part of
efforts to monitor numerous environmental parameters
FIG. 1 - Location of Cape Jourimain, NB.
that may be influenced by bridge construction. The first
objective of this research project was to document the shoreline
geomorphology and sedimentary characteristics of
Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick, as work on the Confederation
Bridge began in this area. A second objective is to
re-measure some aspects of the shoreline geomorphology
at Cape Jourimain over the period 1995-1997. Thirteen
shoreline profiles were established in the study area in
1995 and measured using standard surveying and echosounding
techniques. Six additional profiles were established
in 1996 based on the 1995 results. These profiles will
be re-measured several times a year for the next few years.
Seventy bottom samples were collected in 1995 from a grid
pattern covering the study area and analyzed using standard
sieving techniques to establish their composition and
grain size characteristics. An additional thirty-four bottom
samples and eighteen dune samples were collected in 1996
to enhance the work done in 1995. These data along with
visual observations made at each site are being used to
map bottom composition in the study area. The preliminary
results indicate that the sediments offshore tend to be
poorly-sorted sand, pebble, and cobble sediments, while
those closer to shore tend to be well-sorted medium
sands.Investigations are also being undertaken to determine
the recent and longer-term evolution of the sandy barrier
systems that flank Jourimain Island (Figure 2). These
barrier systems are of particular value because they protect
a. Canadian Wildlife Service sanctuary from wave attack.
Their recent .evolution « 50 years) is being documented
using. recent surveys and aerial photographs. Their longerterm
evolution (50-1,000 years) is being investigated using
historical maps, historical written.records, and the assessment
of sand dune ages using optical luminescence dating
techniques. Preliminary evidence suggests that the
northwest (NW) barrier system is migrating slowly
landward with rising sea level and that there is a sufficient
supply of sand to ensure its integrity. In fact, there is evidence
that the dunes near Gunning Point (see Figure 2)
FIG. 2 - Cape Jourimain, NB study site.
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