Changes in surface microtextures of quartz grains by longshore current transport along the Northern East coast of Gangwon Province, Korea

초록

To understand the causes and mechanisms of coastal erosion resulting from imbalances in sediment supply and loss, it is essential to comprehend the characteristics of coastal materials and the processes of sediment transport. Sedimentological research, as well as coastal geological studies, have been significantly lacking, particularly in the Hwajinpo, Songjiho and Cheonggan beaches of Goseong County, Gangwon Province. This study aims to test transport hypotheses and present actual sedimentological evidence by examining the changes in the features of surface microtextures of quartz grains (SMQ) in beach sediments. Among the various SMQs, outlines and V-shaped percussion cracks are recognized as the most significant, known to respond sensitively to environmental changes during the sediment transport process. These SMQs exhibit a clear tendency to change as the transport distance increases from Cheongjincheon stream, which directly flows into Cheonggan beach. This trend is consistent across all three beaches, and the observed direction aligns with the estimated longshore current direction along the East Coast. Consequently, these findings suggest that SMQ characteristics can serve as a practical tool for interpreting the direction of longshore current.

키워드