Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/5579
Title: The effect of storm events on beach properties : a case study of two urban beaches, Rinella bay and St. George's bay
Authors: Bianco, Darren
Keywords: Bays -- Malta
Beaches -- Malta
Beaches -- Environmental aspects -- Malta
St. George’s Bay (St. Julians, Malta)
Rinella Bay (Kalkara, Malta)
Storms -- Malta
Issue Date: 2012
Abstract: The aims of this study were to identify beach profile changes after specific storm events at both Rinella bay and St. George's bay from October 2011 to March 2012; to study how beach sediment size varied spatially across the beach surface in October 2011 and in March 2012 and to test out whether there was a correlation between beach sediment size and beach profile gradient at the two bays under study. The objectives were to identify and quantify similarities and differences in beach sediment size distribution between the two bays, to identify and quantify spatial variations in beach sediment size and beach profile gradient of the two bays and to monitor and measure variations in beach slope angle after specific storm events. These aims and objectives were achieved by collecting sediment samples every one meter interval from four meters seaward of the shoreline to the beach landward boundary at the Eastern, Middle and Western profiles of the two bays. Beach slope angle was measured by the use of a clinometer and ranging poles and a pantometer after each storm event, whenever the sea conditions were calm enough to permit slope measurement. The outcomes of this dissertation were that the intensity or severity of storm events (classified by author according to wind speed) did have an effect of beach profile morphology, but in terms of visible features on the beach, ex: increased boulders, more exposed concrete platform at Rinella bay and the deposition of more algae on the sub-aerial beach at St. George's bay, not in terms of the shape of beach profile, because the study generally gave oppose results to the theory that after storm events beaches exhibit lower gradients. However for beach sediment size, the outcome was that in October 2011 there was a larger proportion of fine sediments than in March 2012 and that in March 2012 there was a larger proportion of coarse sediments (including pebbles and boulders) than in October 2011.
Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/5579
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacArt - 2012
Dissertations - FacArtGeo - 2012

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