physical fieldwork

Physical Fieldwork Enquiry

To what extent is costal management in Whitstable effective?

Primary Research Methods (Coasts):

• direction of longshore drift

• beach profile

• groyne profile

• sediment size

• fieldwork sketch

Sampling

A selection taken from a larger group so that you can examine to fine out something about the larger group.

Random Sampling

A type of sampling method in where samples contain each person having an equal chance of being selected.

Stratified Sampling

A method of sampling that involves the division of a population into smaller subgroups known as strata, which are formed based on members' shared attributes or characteristics, such as income or educational attainment.

Systematic Sampling

A type of sampling where samples are collected in an ordered/regular way.

Equipment for Direction of Longshore Drift:

• ranging pole

• tape measure

• biodegradable object (eg. orange)

• stopwatch

Method of Direction of Longshore Drift:

1. ranging pole placed vertically

2. measure 10m east and west of ranging pole using a tape measure

3. biodegradable object then thrown into water

4. stopwatch used to time how long the object takes to travel the 10m, west or east

Sampling for Direction of Longshore Drift:

Systematic Sampling; measure 10m east and west

Usefulness of Direction of Longshore Drift

• used to test the direction of the prevailing wind, and therefore where longshore drift is transporting sediment

• data can be analysed and compared

Equipment of Beach Profile:

• ranging poles (x2)

• tape measure

• clinometer (measures angle of beach)

Method of Beach Profile:

1. ranging pole placed vertically into beach sediment

2. another ranging pole placed 2m away from first ranging pole placed

3. clinometer is used from the first pole to measure the angle of the beach

4. repeat steps, going up the beach (profile)

Sampling for Beach Profile:

Systematic Sampling; measure every 2m

Usefulness of Beach Profile:

• results provide angle of beach, which will affect swash and backwash

• data can be analysed and compared

Equipment for Groyne Profile:

• tape measure

• ranging pole

Method of Groyne Profile:

1. place ranging pole horizontally on groyne

2. use measure tape to measure height between the sediment and the top of the groyne

3. do this for both sides of groyne

Sampling for Groyne Profile:

Systematic Sampling; every 2 groynes along coast

Usefulness of Groyne Profile:

• results show the overall direction of the prevailing wind and the overall affect of longshore drift

• straightforward, allowing it to be reproducible and reliable

• data can be analysed and compared

Equipment for Sediment Size:

• caliper

Method for Sediment Size:

• measure size of sediment using caliper

• record sphericity (H/L)

• record angularity (soft-sharp, 1-6)

Sampling for Sediment Size:

Random Sampling; pick up 20 pebbles off ground randomly by closing eyes when choosing pebbles

Usefulness of Sediment Size:

• shows which part of coast has larger and smaller sediment sizes

• smaller sediment sizes = more erosion

• data can be compared and analysed

Results from Primary Research:

• direction of longshore drift → average time taken was 1 minute and direction was (south)east

• beach profile → west side of beach was more steep, prevailing wind = easterly

• groyne profile → average drop on east side of groyne was lower than on west side, meaning more sediment build-up on east side; prevailing wind = westerly

• sediment size: east side had smaller sediments, more erosion

Data Presentation of Primary Research:

• groyne profile → bar chart

• beach profile → line graph

Strengths & Weaknesses of Groyne Profile:

strengths:

• conclusions matched results from other methods of data collection

weaknesses:

• only 2 groynes used to collect data → results may be less accurate as they do not show the general picture of all the groynes at this site in Whitstable

Strengths and Weaknesses of Direction of Longshore Drift:

strengths:

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weaknesses:

• time consuming

• only a 2 results collected and used to calculate an average