CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Byrne, M-L.; and Jackson, S.
Date : 2002.
Title : Windblown snow and sand deposits at Pinery Provincial Park, Ontario.
Publication : Geological Association of Canada and Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, May 27 - 29, 2002. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to document sand transport through a parabolic dune during the winter months by measuring volumes of sand in windblown snow on the dune lee slope. Previous work showed that the amount of sand transported varies seasonally with smaller amounts during summer and larger amounts during the winter months. Determination of winter sand transport was difficult because sand traps froze-in, hampered the collection of samples and led to an underestimation of the volume of sand moved in the winter months. Examination of the erosion pin data collected over 8 years reveals that the surface of the lake-side of the dune is generally accreting in the late summer and fall and then eroding during the winter months. Lee slope erosion pins showed deposition, but the measurements were hampered by the large deposits of drift-snow that covered them. To determine an estimation of volumes of sand deposited, a grid of 2 metre stakes marked in 10 cm intervals was installed in December prior to snowfall. These were mapped using a differential GPS and measurements from top of stake to sand surface were recorded for each of the 18 stakes. Measurements of snow depth were taken after snowfall events and snow pits were dug to determine amounts of sand captured in the wind-driven snow. At the end of the snow season, snow cores were taken and the volumes of snow and sand were calculated. Using GIS, interpolations between the stakes were made and maps of snow surfaces and sand concentrations were plotted. The results show that significant volumes of sand are contributed to the lee face of the dune during the winter months as snow and sand are blown up the throat of the dune. Snow deposits were determined to be useful natural traps and could be used to calculate the volume of winter sand transport.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology