Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B503917/1
Impacts of near-shore sandbank mobility on beaches (BLINKS).
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor CE Vincent, University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Land - Ocean Interactions
- Sediment/Sedimentary Processes
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Studies have been conducted on the temporal changes in offshore sandbanks (e.g. Li et al, 1999; Reeve & Spivak, 2000) and into possible effects of offshore aggregate extraction on beaches with the intention of ensuring minimum impacts (Hilton & Hesp, 1996, Maa et al, 2001). This study aims to produce answers to generic questions about the extent to which natural beach volatility may be controlled by nearby sandbanks, by conducting 1) a study of existing data from the East Anglian coast and 2) a comprehensive study of the Lowestoft beach/sandbank system. Questions to be addressed are: How (via what processes) does a beach respond to changes in the sandbanks? What are the time-scales (is the response in days, months or years) and spatial extent (both along-coast and cross-shore)? What sandbank conditions (e.g. width, depth, shape) influence or control beach susceptibility to erosion? Can we predict the likely beach response from the movement, or trends in the movement, of the sandbank, (e.g. following the work of Reeve et al 1997, 1998, 2001 on longer timescales)? The study will not be able to directly answer questions such as whether there is direct exchange of sand between the beach and the bank and the time scales involved, but the modelling may help to provide further insight. The research will be conducted by the School of Environmental Sciences at UEA in close collaboration with the CEFAS laboratories at Lowestoft, and with support from Waverey District Council, the Environment Agency, ABPmer, Posford Haskoning and Halcrow Marine. The proposed study areas are a) the dynamic, rapidly-eroding East Anglian coast for the wider-scale study of existing data and b) the beaches at Lowestoft, north and south of the CEFAS Laboratories and the nearby (~1.5km) Newcombe Sands. Recent changes to the Lowestoft beaches are thought to be responses to changes in the position of Newcombe Sands (area ~ 2km^2) but there is no direct evidence of cause and effect. Lowestoft's beaches have significance for both cliff erosion, property loss and tourism (an important local revenue stream since the loss of the much of the fishing industry). The mobility of the Newcombe Sands is also important to the Lowestoft Port Authority (ABP) for shipping channels and maintenance dredging. In a broader context there is a major lack of knowledge of the mobility of sandbanks on various timescales (Li et al 1999, analysed the decadal variations in the Great Yarmouth bank system) that has been highlighted by the recent OSPAR Wind Farm workshop as a research need with reference to offshore developments. Results from this project will be available to both the marine community and the general public (including real-time images from the video cameras) through a Web-site.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B503917/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £176,923
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £8,005 | £73,477 | £16,639 | £50,359 | £28,444 |
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