Predicting characteristic length scales of barrier island segmentation in microtidal environments

Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
By: , and 

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Abstract

Segmented barrier islands can be found in regions with small tidal ranges. In contrast to tidally dominated barriers, where inlet dynamics are thought to control island length scales, the controls on barrier island length scales in wave-dominated environments have not been quantified. These microtidal barriers typically have a curved shoreline, suggesting the influence of wave-driven alongshore sediment transport. Microtidal barriers are also typically hydrodynamically isolated from one another, as weak tidal flows limit interactions between adjoining barriers. To better understand the controls on and scales of barrier segmentation in the relative absence of tides, here we develop a theoretical framework to estimate the alongshore length scales at which a barrier will either breach or heal following a disturbance in the barrier morphology. The non-dimensional framework compares the timescales of overwash (advective) and alongshore sediment transport (diffusive) processes along barrier island chains. We then apply this framework to modern barrier islands in the microtidal Gulf of Mexico using wave hindcast data and the lengths, widths, heights, and lagoon depths measured from remotely sensed geospatial data and topobathymetric data. We find that most of these barriers are currently longer than their critical length scale, often as a result of coastal restoration efforts. Our critical length scale analysis suggests that most of the Gulf of Mexico barriers are vulnerable to segmentation despite coastal restoration efforts intended to protect fisheries and the mainland coasts.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Predicting characteristic length scales of barrier island segmentation in microtidal environments
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
DOI 10.1029/2023JF007437
Volume 129
Issue 10
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description e2023JF007437, 16 p.
Country United States
State Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi
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