Contemporary process controls on the evolution of sedimentary coasts under low to high energy regimes: western Ireland

Sedimentary environments, representative of the Irish west coast, have been studied to examine their responses at the microscale (10-1–100 yr). This was achieved using a variety of techniques, including grain-size analysis, measurement of accretionary responses and radiometric dating. Monthly elevation monitoring of silt-dominated marshes shows an annual pattern in sediment accumulation. This reflects two processes: a) winter accretion attributable to storm events, and b) summer consolidation and contraction of the marsh sediments. Together, the results suggest that intertidal sedimentation is likely to be dominated by episodic processes, primarily storms. Examination of the tidal regime shows a weaker than expected influence of hydroperiodicity on intertidal accretion, although this influence remains distinctive, as expressed by a landward textural fining. Storms were also identified as of major importance in the functioning of higher-energy sandy coastal systems, again having a largely accretional influence, primarily through aeolian transport. Erosion at such study sites is probably controlled by the attainment of a critical threshold surface elevation, or by exceptional storm action, or a combination of both. The linking of microscale sedimentation rates with those at the meso- to macroscale, and assessment of their importance for coastal functioning, is difficult due to the geological averaging effect of the sedimentary record. Human impacts on this coast in historical times are large but difficult to quantify.