Exploring centennial barrier-inlet evolution: Insights from undeveloped and developed phases at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey

Shane Nichols-O’Neill; Jorge Lorenzo-Trueba; Daniel J. Ciarletta; Jennifer L. Miselis

doi:10.1142/9789811275135_0130

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Exploring centennial barrier-inlet evolution: Insights from undeveloped and developed phases at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey

Shane Nichols-O’Neill·Jorge Lorenzo-Trueba·Daniel J. Ciarletta·Jennifer L. Miselis

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Abstract

This study aims to identify the natural processes and the subsequent responses to coastal engineering and development on the alongshore evolution of the IB-BI-LBI inlet-barrier system. The primary focus will be the quantification of barrier island and inlet sediment partitioning at decadal to centennial timescales, from 1839-1941. We analyze historical alongshore evolution and track coastal engineering efforts at the Island Beach–Barnegat Inlet–Long Beach Island, NJ barrier-inlet system, which has transitioned from natural to highly developed over the past 180 years. We build a quantitative mass-balance framework that tracks sediment reservoir volumes and transport fluxes within the barrier-inlet system to describe both the natural and developed alongshore evolution of this system. We find that minor coastal engineering efforts, including the construction of small-scale wood and stone jetties, not only shift sediment transport locally, but also shift system-wide sediment transport based on inlet-barrier island interactions and sediment partitioning. Better understanding these different modes of past evolution can help to guide coastal management strategies as beach nourishment increases in cost, sea level-rise accelerates, and extreme storm patterns change.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 39.71752217758285° to 39.81674675488196° latitude; -74.15617443689175° to -74.06965710290756° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Shane Nichols-O’Neill, Jorge Lorenzo-Trueba, Daniel J. Ciarletta, Jennifer L. Miselis. 2023-03-23. Exploring centennial barrier-inlet evolution: Insights from undeveloped and developed phases at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811275135_0130

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