This study aims to identify the natural processes and the subsequent responses to coastal engineering and development on the alongshore evolution of the IB-BI-LBI inlet-barrier system. The primary focus will be the quantification of barrier island and inlet sediment partitioning at decadal to centennial timescales, from 1839-1941. We analyze historical alongshore evolution and track coastal engineering efforts at the Island Beach–Barnegat Inlet–Long Beach Island, NJ barrier-inlet system, which has transitioned from natural to highly developed over the past 180 years. We build a quantitative mass-balance framework that tracks sediment reservoir volumes and transport fluxes within the barrier-inlet system to describe both the natural and developed alongshore evolution of this system. We find that minor coastal engineering efforts, including the construction of small-scale wood and stone jetties, not only shift sediment transport locally, but also shift system-wide sediment transport based on inlet-barrier island interactions and sediment partitioning. Better understanding these different modes of past evolution can help to guide coastal management strategies as beach nourishment increases in cost, sea level-rise accelerates, and extreme storm patterns change.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2023 |
---|---|
Title | Exploring centennial barrier-inlet evolution: Insights from undeveloped and developed phases at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey |
DOI | 10.1142/9789811275135_0130 |
Authors | Shane Nichols-O'Neill, Jorge Lorenzo-Trueba, Daniel J. Ciarletta, Jennifer L. Miselis |
Publication Type | Conference Paper |
Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
Index ID | 70250023 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center |
Related Content
Daniel Ciarletta, Ph.D.
Research Geologist (Mendenhall)
Jennifer L Miselis, Ph.D.
Research Geologist
Related Content
- Connect
Daniel Ciarletta, Ph.D.
Research Geologist (Mendenhall)EmailPhoneJennifer L Miselis, Ph.D.
Research GeologistEmailPhone