Beach Profiling and Zonal Shoreline Maps

Objective:    Beach and dune morphology is a critically important element in understanding the dynamics
            of  the shoreline.  Beach profiling is a quick and low cost method of determining the morphology or
            a beach.  Profiling coupled with the construction of a zonal map of the shore provides a        
            3-dimensional view of a particular section of shoreline.  We will measure several beach profiles
            and construct a zonal map of a section of beach on Figure Eight Island.

Methodology:

1)         To develop a zonal, each group will separate themselves approximately 30 m apart along the beach.
2)         Each group should locate and mark the beginning and several points along a straight line
            perpendicular to the beach.  A third individual will enter the data into a notebook.  The fourth and
            fifth individuals will note various morphologic and biologic information along the transect and will
            indicate the condition and its position along the transect.
3)         Begin your measurements at the landward end of your transect (or line).
4)         Position the profiling sticks vertically and 2 m apart by stretching a meter tape between the sticks. 
            Each stick is divided into 150 cm units.  The sticks should be held such that the divisions are readily
            visible by the individual standing at the rear stick.

            Four or five individuals are necessary to complete a beach profile.  The person at the landward
            profiling stick will read the elevation change.  The person at the seaward stick will position the stick
            along the line and keep the entire profile perpendicular to the beach.  A third individual will enter
            the data into a notebook.  The fourth and fifth individuals will note various morphologic and biologic
            information along the transect and will indicate the condition and its position along the transect.

Profiling Technique:

1)         Always hold both sticks vertical and in the same plane as that of your flagged line.  Stand behind the
            rear stick and sight seaward, lining up the top of the front stick with the horizon.  With the horizon
            lined up with the top of the front stick, determine the intersection of the horizon with the rear stick
            and have the recorder write the figure on the standard form.  This figure should be indicated as a    
            negative number (`) indicating that it is a fall in elevation.
2)        With practice and the correct conditions, you can estimate the position of the horizon to the nearest
            0.5 cm.  If the front stick is higher than the rear stick, line the top of the rear stick up with the horizon
            and note the difference in elevation on the front stick.  Record the reading as a positive (+) number
            to indicate a rise in elevation.
3)         Move the sticks seaward with the rear stick occupying the exact position vacated by the front stick.
            Make your new measurements and record the information as a positive or negative number as a
            positive or negative number as appropriate.  If there is no change in elevation, place a zero (0) in the
            elevation space on the form.
4)        Repeat the procedure, moving from the rear to the front position each time.  Maintain the 2 m
            separation at all times.
5)        If your view of the horizon is blocked by an obstruction such as a dune, you must use a hand level to
            read the horizon.  (This procedure will be demonstrated in the field.)
6)        For each position you occupy along the transect, your data sheet should include the horizontal
            distance from the origin (2 m intervals), the difference in elevation (+, 0, or -) and any notes
            concerning morphologic or biologic events (swash line, strand line, runnel, berm crest, dominant
            plant species, etc.) within the 2 meter interval.
7)        Before ending your profile, be sure to note the still-water tide elevation and position and the exact
            time that you completed the profile.  This information is important for determining the tide level.

Zonal Map:

1)        Each profile will be drawn to a scale of 1:5.  For each five meters on the x-axis, the y-axis distance is
            one meter.  This exaggerates the vertical scale and makes the profile appear similar to what the eye
            views in the field.
2)        On each data sheet, sum the plus, zero and minus values arithmetically and cumulatively.  The
            beginning of the profile should be zero (0).  Rising dunes will be more positive and the fall of dunes
            of the beach will be more negative.  Beginning in a dune at zero, the endpoint of your profile at the
            tide mark may be 100-200 cm lower than the starting point.
3)        Plot your profile on 10 x 10 graph paper and note the morphologic and biologic information.  On the
            x-axis each square should equal one meter, on the y-axis each square should equal 20 cm.  Each
            group will be responsible for summarizing their data and plotting the profile.
4)        In lab, we will line the origins in a vertical and horizontal position such that the profiles give the
            appearance of a three-dimensional of the shoreline.