Recording aeolian sand transport using laser particle counters

Quantitative prediction of aeolian transport rates on beaches is still a difficult task, an important reason being the large spatio-temporal variability inherent to this type of transport. In order to validate new approaches to calculate aeolian transport, in situ field measurements are needed, combined with the knowledge on how to interpret point measurements in this spatio-temporal varying transport field. In this contribution we present the first results of field experiments that aimed at exploring the effects of sensor positioning on the recording of Aeolian transport, including possible sensor related influences

Aeolian sediment flux derived from a natural sand trap

In 2011, a mega-nourishment (the ‘Sand Motor’) was constructed along the Dutch Coast. Since it is a pilot project, its evolution is closely monitored. This paper presents first results on the temporal variation in aeolian sediment transport across the nourishment, based on (a) the rate of infill over a 4 year period of a small lake in the nourishment, (b) one year of semi-hourly collected video imagery and (c) four year of hourly-averaged wind data. It appeared that, apart from approximately the first half year, the infill occurred quite linearly over time at an average rate of about 1.9·104 m3/yr. The rate of infill in the first half year period was equivalent to an annual rate of 8.4·104 m3/yr. From the combination of video image data and wind data, it was derived that aeolian sand transport (by saltation) was only observed at hourly averaged wind speeds of at least 7 m/s. The monthly frequency of occurrence of above 7 m/s wind speed, was reasonably well correlated with monthly frequency of occurrence of aeolian transport (r=0.79). Nevertheless, when hourly wind speed exceeded 7 m/s, transport was only observed about 23% of the time, indicating the importance of supply limiting conditions for aeolian transport from the Sand Motor