Transport of materials along a beach

Equipment

Methodology

Decide on an appropriate distance to measure longshore drift over, for example 10 metres
Lay out tape measure close to water and mark start and finish points
Place your float into water in the breakwater zone at the start point
Observe and time the object's movement across the pre-set distance

Similar results can be obtained if the distance travelled by the object is recorded over a specified time, for example five minutes.

Considerations and possible limitations

Tidal and wind conditions, the size and weight of float used and the slope angle of the beach may all affect measurements
Take note of the wind speed and direction on the day the fieldwork is undertaken as this may affect the speed at which the float is transported. This is particularly important if further sampling for the investigation is undertaken on another day
Obstructions to the movement of float, for example rocky outcrops, may affect results.
Floats may be lost during the investigation. Repeated experiments or the use of more than one marker can reduce this problem
Floats should be placed in the water ahead of the start line to allow them to settle prior to recording, and avoid giving the floats extra momentum
The float should lie low in the water to ensure that it is not influenced by the wind
The measuring should be undertaken in an area where there are no swimmers or paddlers for safety reasons and to ensure the reliability of results
Any anomalies should be recorded, for example obstructions which may affect the movement of the float
Weather and sea conditions can have a dramatic affect on observations

Using data within an investigation

Data would not be used in isolation, but in conjunction with other data collected as supporting evidence
Most commonly used when comparing managed and unmanaged stretches of coastline, particularly the impact of management techniques on transport processes within the sediment cell