Spatial Variations in Particle Size and Magnetite Concentration on Cedar Beach: Implications for Grain‐Sorting Processes, Western Lake Erie, Canada

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined spatial variations in the concentration, grain size and heavy mineral assemblages on Cedar Beach (Lake Erie, Canada). Magnetic studies of heavy mineral‐enriched, dark‐reddish sands present on the beach showed that magnetite (~150 μm) is the dominant magnetic mineral. Surficial magnetic susceptibility values defined three zones: a lakeward region close to the water line (Zone 1), the upper swash zone (Zone 2) and the region landwards of the upper swash zone (Zone 3). Zone 2 showed the highest bulk and mass susceptibility (κ, χ) and the highest mass percentage of smaller grain‐size (<250 μm) fractions in the bulk sand sample. Susceptibility (i.e. κ and χ) values decreased and grain size coarsened from Zone 2 lakewards (into Zone 1) and landwards (into Zone 3), and correlated with the distribution of the heavy mineral assemblage, most probably reflecting preferential separation of large, less dense particles by waves and currents both along and across the beach. The eroded western section of Cedar Beach showed much higher concentrations of heavy minerals including magnetite, and finer sand grain sizes than the accreting eastern section, suggesting that magnetic techniques could be used as a rapid, cost‐effective way of examining erosion along sensitive coastline areas.