Estuarine shoreline erosion, Albemarle-Pamlico Sound, North Carolina / by Megan Murphy.
| Author/creator | Murphy, Megan author. |
| Other author | Riggs, Stanley R., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Geology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2002. |
| Description | xiii, 295 leaves : color illustrations, color maps, charts ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The Albemarle-Pamlico Estuary of North Carolina's northeastern coastal zone is the second largest estuarine system in the US. Most of the estuarine shorelines are eroding in response to a worldwide rise in sea level. However, the specific rate and amount of shoreline recession is highly variable and depends on a local set of variables. These variables include shoreline type, geometry and composition, geographic location, size and shape of associated estuary, storm fetch, type and abundance of vegetation, and frequency and intensity of storm patterns. Organic or wetland shorelines (marsh and swamp forest) comprise approximately 62% of the estuarine margins in northeastern NC, whereas sediment banks constitute about 38%. The goal of this study is to determine the rates of recession for the different shoreline types and the roles of controlling variables. Shorelines were mapped using high precision GPS mapping techniques, digital orthographic quarter quadrangles, and other georeferenced aerial photographs from the early 1950's to 2001. Recession rates for 20 estuarine shoreline study site were then calculated. Field mapping of each site provided data on shoreline characteristics and erosional processes. Data from the present study suggest that marsh shorelines erode at rates greater than all other shoreline types. Marshes erode at a mean rate of 7.4 ft/yr, while low sediment banks erode at a rate of 5 ft/yr. Back-barrier marshes erode at rates varying from 0 to 17 ft/yr. These rates depend upon the interactions between oceanic overwash processes, back-barrier sound dynamics, and human modification of the barrier island, which determine sand supplies to the estuarine shorelines. This study suggests that estuarine erosion rates are extremely variable and are up to 2-3 times greater than previously reported. Approximately 1166 acres of estuarine land are lost each year along the 1593 miles of mapped estuarine shoreline in northeastern NC. If the erosion rates determined by this present study are representative of ail northeastern NC's estuarine shorelines, and if the ongoing processes continue at the present levels, then NC will experience a significant loss of both wetlands and uplands at the estuarine water-land interface under such constraints. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Geology. |
| General note | Advisor: Stanley R. Riggs |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2002 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-177). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |