Aeolian Sediment Transport Under Offshore Wind Conditions: Implications for Aeolian Sediment Budget Calculations

Field studies of aeolian sediment transport on natural beaches reveal measured transport rates that are lower than those predicted by existing equations developed in arid environments or wind tunnels. Factors restricting sediment transport on beaches include: topography that controls the character of the wind flow field; characteristics of the air mass, such as wind gustiness or precipitation; moisture conditions on the beach; the width of the beach as source area; and characteristics of beach sediments. An aeolian sediment budget for a given shoreline segment consists of both onshore and offshore components. Aeolian sediment transport research has primarily focused on the effects of onshore winds. This paper explores the implications of aeolian sediment transport under offshore wind conditions for aeolin sediment budget calculations.