Carbonate Sediment Deposits on the Reef Front Around Oahu,Hawaii |
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| Authors: | MONTY A HAMPTON CHARLES T BLAY CHRISTOPHER J MURRAY |
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| Institution: | 1. U.S. Geological Survey , Menlo Park, California, USA;2. TEOK Investigations , Poipu, Hawaii, USA;3. Battelle-Pacific Northwest Division , Richland, Washington, USA |
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| Abstract: | Large sediment deposits on the reef front around Oahu are a possible resource for replenishing eroded beaches. High-resolution subbottom profiles clearly depict the deposits in three study areas: Kailua Bay off the windward coast, Makua to Kahe Point off the leeward coast, and Camp Erdman to Waimea off the north coast. Most of the sediment is in water depths between 20 and 100?m, resting on submerged shelves created during lowstands of sea level. The mapped deposits have a volume of about 4?×?108?m3 in water depths less than 100?m, being thickest off the mouth of channels carved into the modern insular shelf, from which most of the sediment issues. Vibracore samples contain various amounts of sediment of similar size to the sand on Oahu beaches, with the most compatible prospects located off Makaha, Haleiwa, and Camp Erdman, and the least compatible ones located in Kailua Bay. Laboratory tests show a positive correlation of abrasion with Halimeda content: samples from Kailua Bay suffered high amounts of attrition, but others were comparable to tested beach samples. The common gray color of the offshore sediment, aesthetically undesirable for sand on popular tourist beaches, was diminished in the laboratory by soaking in heated hydrogen peroxide. |
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| Keywords: | Oahu Hawaii carbonate sediment offshore sand resources |
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