GEO-ELECTRICAL MAPPING OF BEACHROCK IN VATERA BEACH, LESVOS


Published: Jul 28, 2016
Keywords:
beachrock coastal zone geophysics prospecting Lesvos
R. Meligonitis
D. Galanopoulos
T. Hasiotis
A. Velegrakis
Abstract

Beachrock (Br) is encountered on the coastal zones, playing an important but also complex role in their morphodynamic evolution. Although Br has been widely studied, two important issues require further investigation. The first concerns the importance of the interaction of the dynamically changing coastal environment with the temporal changing surficial and underground hydrogeological balance. The second has to do with the spatial distribution and the evolution of Br with respect to the specific “host” coastal zone geo environment. This paper designates the electrical resistivity method as a tool that contribute in arguing in the abovementioned issues. The research comprised subsurface measurements with the DC resistivity method along two profiles located on Vatera beach (Lesvos Island), where there is a significant Br outcrops. Twelve geoelectric soundings were carried out using the Axial Pole-Dipole electrode array. The electrical resistively measurements permitted an indirect estimation of TDS, which depicts the coastal interface of fresh water - sea water. The interpreted geoelectric model shows two thin formations attributed to Br. The first is the inland extension of the Br outcrop and the second it is believed to be a primary stage of Br build up.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Environmental Geology
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Akintorinwa, O.J. and Abiola, O., 2012. Comparison of Schlumberger and modified Schlumberger arrays VES interpretation results, Research Journal in Engineering and Applied Sciences, 1(3), 190-196
Arrieta, N., Iturregi, I., Martinez-Arkarazo, X., Murelaga, J.I., Baceta and Madariaga, J.M., 2011. Spectroscopic characterization of ferruginous cements in a temperate beachrock formation close to Nerbioi-Ibaizabal estuary (Tunelboka cove, Bay of Biscay), CORALS II Conference.
Back, W., Hanshaw, B.B., Plummer, L.N., Rahn, P.H., Rightmire, C.T. and Rubin, M., 1983. Process and rate of dedolomitization Mass transfer and 14C dating in a regional carbonate aquifer, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 94, 1415-1429.
Bernard, J., 2006. Training course on electrical methods, IRIS instruments, 1-29 pp.
Brattstrom, H., 1992. Marine biological investigations in the Bahamas. Littoral zonation at three Bahamian beachrock localities, Sarsia, 77, 81-109.
Caron, V., 2012. Geomorphic and Sedimentologic Evidence of Extreme Wave Events Recorded by Beachrocks: A Case Study from the Island of St. Bartholomew (Lesser Antilles), Journal of Coastal Research, 811-828.
Chandra, S., Anand Rao, V. and Singh, V.S., 2004. A combined approach of Schlumberger and axial pole-dipole configurations for groundwater exploration in hard-rock areas, Current Science, 86(10), 1437-1443.
Chowdhury, S.Q., Fazlul Haq, A.T.M. and Hasan, K., 1997. Beachrock in St. Martin's Island, Bangladesh: Implication of sea level changes on beachrock cementation, Marine Geology, 120, 89-104.
Cox, R.T., Lumsden, N.D., Gough, K., Lloyd, R. and Talnagi, J., 2008. Investigation of late Quaternary fault block uplift along the Motagua/Swan Islands fault system: Implications for seismic/tsunami hazard for the Bay of Honduras, Tectonophysics, 457, 30-41.
Danjo, T. and Kawasaki, S., 2014. Characteristics of Beachrocks: A Review, Geotech. Geol. Eng., 32, 215-246.
Erginal, A.E., Kiyak, N.G. and Ozturk, B., 2010. Investigation of beachrock using microanalyses and OSL dating: a case study from Bozcaada Island, Turkey, Journal of Coastal Research, 26(2), 350-358.
Galanopoulos, D. and Kolettis, G., 2005. Investigating the formation of a superficial fracture on Nisyros Island, Greece with the DC resistivity method. In: Fytikas, M. and Vougiougalakis, G., eds., THE SOUTH AEGEAN ACTIVE VOLCANIC ARC, 7, Present Knowledge and Future Perspectives, Developments in Volcanology, 7, 227-240.
GeoFact, 2014. Geoelectrics, geoFact GmbH, Available online at: http://www.geofact.de/?page_id=110&language=en.
Kelletat, D., 2006. Beachrock as Sea-Level Indicator? Remarks from a Geomorphological Point of View, Journal of Coastal Research, 22(6), 1558-1564.
Kubo, R., Kawasaki, S., Suzuki, K., Yamaguchi, S. and Hatta, T., 2013. Beachrock mapping by geophysical exploration: Application to Yagaji Island in Okinawa, Japan. Rock Mechanics for Resources, Energy and Environment, Kwasniewski and Lydzba, eds., Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-1-138-00080-3.
Neumeier, U., 1999. Experimental modelling of beachrock cementation under microbial influence, Sedimentary Geology, 126(1-4), 35-46.
Pirttijärvi, M., 2014. Free Software from Markku Pirttijärvi, Joint Inversion of EM and VES data, Available online at: https://wiki.oulu.fi/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=20677943.
Psomiadis, D., Tsourlos, P. and Albanakis, K., 2009. Electrical resistivity tomography mapping of CS: application to the island of Thassos (N. Greece), Environmental Earth Sciences, 59(1), 233-240.
Rey, D., Rubio, B., Bernabeu, A.M. and Vilas, F., 2004. Formation, exposure, and evolution of a high-latitude beachrock in the intertidal zone of the Corrubedo complex (Ria de Arousa, Galicia, NW Spain), Sedimentary Geology, 169(1-2), 93-105.
Rutten, L.G., 2011. Interactions between beachrock formations and shoreline evolution. Case study: Togo, Section for Geo-Engineering, Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Scoffin, T.P. and Stoddart, D.R., 1983. Beachrock and intertidal sediments. In: Goudie, A.S. and Pye, K., eds., Chemical Sediments and Geomorphology, Academic Press, London, 401-425.
Shinn, E.A., 2009. The Mystique of Beachrock, IAS Special Publication, 41, 19-28.
Telford, W.M., Geldart, L.P., Sheriff, R.E. and Keys, D.A., 1981. Applied Geophysics, Cambridge University Press.
Vousdoukas, M.I., Velegrakis, A.F. and Plomaritis, T.A., 2007. Beachrock occurrence, characteristics, formation mechanisms and impacts, Earth-Science Reviews, 85, 23-46.
Vousdoukas, M., Velegrakis, A. and Karambas, T., 2009. Morphology and sedimentology of a microtidal beach with beachrocks: Vatera, Lesbos, NE Mediterranean, Continental Shelf Research, 29(16), 1937-1947.