CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Etheridge, B.
Date : 2005.
Title : Sedimentology, morphology, and sensitivity to petroleum pollution of gravel beaches, Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland.
Publication : Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Geographer. Tuesday, May 31 to Saturday, to June 4, 2005. University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Study of gravel beaches on the Avalon Peninsula showed differences in morphology, sedimentology, energy regime, and sediment transport. These characteristics change the fate and effect of petroleum contamination on each beach. Beaches are ranked on their sensitivity to oil pollution based on energy levels, beach slope, sedimentology and sediment transport. The beaches are gravel dominated, reflective systems, with sediment transport varying from shore normal on some beaches to both shore normal and shore parallel transport on others. The movement of sediment, litter, and seaweed in the nearshore and beach environment provides analogies for how oil will behave in the same environment. The lower energy beaches are gently sloping and less reflective. These beaches will not self- clean as well as the higher energy, steeper sloping, highly reflective beaches, and are thus more sensitive to pollution. Petroleum contamination potentially can come from both offshore and terrestrial sources. For a particular beach, the risk of contamination from either offshore or terrestrial sources depends upon the population, economic activity, location with respect to shipping lanes and petroleum development, transport regime, and beach dynamics. Consideration of the risk of contamination from various sources, in combination with the sensitivity, allows a vulnerability assessment.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology