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The rapid cementation of beach sediments in the intertidal zone leads to the formation of characteristic synsedimentary lithified structures termed as beachrocks. Beachrock units form under a thin cover of sediment and generally overlie unconsolidated sand. They typically consist of multiple units, representing multiple episodes of cementation and exposure. The mineralogy of beachrocks is mainly high-magnesium calcite or aragonite. The main processes involved in the cementation are : supersaturation with CaCO3 through direct evaporation of seawater (Scoffin, 1970), groundwater CO2 degassing in the vadose zone (Hanor, 1978), mixing of marine and meteoric water fluxes (Schmalz, 1971) and precipitation of micritic calcium carbonate as a byproduct of microbiological activity (Neumeier, 1999).
On retreating coasts, outcrops of beachrock may be evident offshore where they may act as a barrier against coastal erosion. Beachrock presence can also induce sediment deficiency in a beach and out-synch its wave regime. Because beachrock is lithified within the intertidal zone and because it commonly forms in a few years, its potential as an indicator of past sea level is important.
Cementation and position of beachrock
Beachrocks are located along the coastline in a parallel term and they are usually a few meters offshore. They are generally separated in several levels which may correspond to different generations of beachrock cementation. Thus, the older zones are located in the outer part of the formation when the younger ones are on the side of the beach, possibly under the unconsolidated sand. They also seem to have a general inclination to the sea (50 – 150). There are several appearances of beachrock formations which are characterized by multiple cracks and gasps. The result from this fact is an interruptible formation of separated blocks of beachrock, which may be of the same formation.
The length of beachrocks varies from meters to kilometers, its width can reach up to 300 meters and its height starts from 30 cm and reaches 3 meters.
Following the process of coastal erosion, beachrock formation may be uncovered. Coastal erosion may be the result of sea level rise or deficit in sedimentary equilibrium. One way or another, unconsolidated sand that covers the beachrock draws away and the formation is revealed. If the process of cementation continues, new beachrock would be formed in a new position in the intertidal zone. Successive phases of sea level change may result in sequential zones of beachrock.
References
- Neumeier U. (1998), The role of microbial activity in early cementation of beachrocks (intertidal sediments). PhD Thesis, University of Geneva, Terre et Environment No 12
- Hanor J.S. (1978), Precipitation of beachrock cements: mixing of marine and meteoric waters vs. CO2 degassing, Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 48,
- Scoffin T.P. & Stoddart D.R. (1983), Beachrock and intertidal sediments, Chemical Sediments and Geomorphology, Academic Press, Inc.,
- Schmalz R.F. (1971), Formation of beachrock at Eniwetok Atoll, Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore