Grain size analysis along büyük menderes delta shoreline, Turkey

Abstract

This study investigates grain size distribution along the shoreline of Büyük Menderes delta located in western Turkey, south of Dilek Peninsula. A total of 102 sand samples are collected at 71 localities within a length of about 20 km in the summer of 2004. Approximately half a kg of sand has been sampled with precise GPS locations. The samples are sieved using standard grain-size classification schemes in laboratory. Grain size distributions are analyzed and necessary graphs for individual samples are prepared and plotted over QuickBird satellite image of the same month in order to visualize the sampling environment. The 1 %, 5 %, 16 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, 84 %, 95 %, mean, median, skewness and kurtosis values are calculated from the cumulative curves of the analyses. Interpretation of the results reveals following conclusions: Active delta head is represented by medium sand which is the coarsest sediment throughout the shoreline. On the other hand, the finest sediment (fine to very fine sand) is observed in the northern margin of the delta plain that corresponds to the southern shores of Dilek peninsula. Remaining areas are characterized by fine sand sediments. Sudden changes in the grain size are detected where significant shorelines changes have occurred within the last fifty years such as closure of coastal inlets.