Surficial sediment data from the Shoalhaven River delta: Bed channel and adjacent beach.

ABSTRACT: Estuaries on wave-dominated coasts generally comprise three sedimentary environments: fluvial sands and gravels derived from the catchment; marine sands characteristic of the beaches and nearshore; and silts and clays that accumulate in the sheltered central basin. Estuarine transition to deltaic form occurs when geomorphological maturity is achieved during coastal evolution. Sedimentary plains become infilled and a narrow channel connects the catchment and facilitates the transport of fluvial sediments to the coast. Here, we present modern sedimentary data that supports the idea that the wave-dominated Shoalhaven system in southeastern Australia has transitioned from an estuary to delta, transporting fluvial sediments to the modern adjacent beach and contributing to coastal progradation.

SUBMITTER: Carvalho RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7298661 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature