Atlantic beach and dune sediments of the southern United States

Abstract

Abstract Sand samples from beaches, dunes, and rivers on the southern Atlantic Coast of the United States were examined with respect to median grain size, sorting, percent calcium carbonate, and heavy and light minerals. Results indicate an assemblage of unstable heavy minerals in sands of beach, dune, and rivers draining piedmont, but not in those of rivers draining coastal plains only. Grain size in beach and dune sands is finest in Georgia, and coarser both in the north and south. It is controlled mainly by wave energy. Carbonate content, controlled by availability of material and by wave energy, is lowest in Georgia and highest to the south.