Finkl, Charles W.

The coastal (terrestrial) and benthic environments along the southeast Florida
continental shelf show a unique biophysical succession of marine features from a highly
urbanized, developed coastal region in the north (i.e. northern Miami-Dade County) to a
protective marine sanctuary in the southeast (i.e. Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary). However, the establishment of a standard bio-geomorphological
classification scheme for this area of coastal and benthic environments is lacking. The
purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis and answer the research question of
whether new parameters of integrating geomorphological components with dominant
biological covers could be developed and applied across multiple remote sensing
platforms for an innovative way to identify, interpret, and classify diverse coastal and
benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf. An ordered, manageable hierarchical classification scheme was developed to incorporate the categories of Physiographic Realm, Morphodynamic Zone, Geoform, Landform, Dominant Surface Sediment, and Dominant Biological Cover. Six different remote sensing platforms (i.e. five multi-spectral satellite image sensors and one high-resolution aerial orthoimagery) were acquired, delineated according to the new classification scheme, and compared to determine optimal formats for classifying the study area. Cognitive digital classification at a nominal scale of 1:6000 proved to be more accurate than autoclassification programs and therefore used to differentiate coastal marine environments based on spectral reflectance characteristics, such as color, tone, saturation, pattern, and texture of the seafloor topology. In addition, attribute tables were created in conjugation with interpretations to quantify and compare the spatial relationships between classificatory units. IKONOS-2 satellite imagery was determined to be the optimal platform for applying the hierarchical classification scheme. However, each remote sensing platform had beneficial properties depending on research goals, logistical restrictions, and financial support. This study concluded that a new hierarchical comprehensive classification scheme for identifying coastal marine environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf could be achieved by integrating geomorphological features with biological coverages. This newly developed scheme, which can be applied across multiple remote sensing platforms with GIS software, establishes an innovative classification protocol to be used in future research studies.

Two wells installed in an unconfined, sandy aquifer in southern Florida exhibited low specific capacities and well loss coefficients resulting from borehole damage from drilling. Hollow-stem augers used to install the wells smeared drill cuttings onto the borehole walls reducing the hydraulic connection between the wells and the aquifer. Pneumatic fracturing was used to improve the specific capacity of both wells by improving the hydraulic connection with the aquifer. The pneumatic fracturing involved injecting air under high pressure into the surrounding formation to create a network of fractures. The success of the pneumatic fracturing was evaluated by recalculating the specific capacity and well loss coefficient of each well after the event. The results showed that both wells operated at increased discharge rates with improved specific capacities and well loss coefficients. High head loss coefficients indicated that the borehole damage was not completely repaired.

Water Resources (WR) agencies have recently shifted to holistic management approaches that combine the use of watersheds and ecoregions as complimentary tools. However, the classification of data is based on land used and land cover detection. In contrast, this research is concerned with inferring WR quality from the landscape using satellite imagery and aerial photography combined with collateral data. To conduct the study, three major procedures were devised: (1) construction of a classification system for regional coastal WR, (2) delineation of WR units based on the interpretation of water quality parameters (e.g. land use/cover, soil, vegetation, etc.), and (3) development and implementation of a water quality rating system. The results showed that this technique can be utilized effectively to monitor WR. The distribution of beneficial water quality was correlated with anthopogenic activities and modifications. Temporal events such as sea surface temperature had a short, but detrimental impact on water quality.

This investigation identified, analyzed, characterized and correlated observed geophysical log "deflections" occurring at distinct depths in the sedimentary sequence and varying systematically with reference to the coastline. The deflections correspond to dense, hard crusts within the upper portions of the Surficial Aquifer System (SAS) of Southeast Florida. These crusts are proposed as zones of paleo-freshwater fluctuations within the aquifer. The secondary depositional crusts (SDC) have migrated vertically in response to sea level changes over thousands of years. Detailed continuous geological samples were collected from three boreholes in a contamination investigation in Delray Beach, Florida. These disturbed but representative samples were analyzed at the gamma log geophysical deflection points. Samples from each of the extant crusts were examined for grain characteristics; chemical analysis of adsorbed elements was performed, as well as stratigraphic and petrographic analyses (scanning electron and petrographic microscopy). Physical laboratory characteristics were calculated and sand/carbonate composition determined.

The southern Florida peninsula has experienced numerous oscillations of sealevel during the Quaternary Period. Lithologic and stratigraphic interpretation of geologic borings collected in the region suggest five separate marine transgressions separated by periods of prolonged exposure. Subdivision of the marine units was through the recognition of lithologic changes and the identification of paleosols. Paleosols generally signify periods of subaerial exposure suggesting a hiatus between similar shallow water siliciclastic and carbonate marine deposits. Amino acid racemization on mollusk shells collected from the upper three units confirm the stratigraphic subdivision and suggest high sealevel stands and associated marine depositional events during oxygen isotope stage 5E (125,000 years BP), stage 7 (210,000 years BP) and stage 9 (300,000 years BP).

The Bahamas archipelago is comprised of numerous carbonate platforms. Within these platforms are a variety of carbonate depositional environments, each unique and warranting detailed investigations of the interrelationships of physical conditions and trends in sediment texture and composition. This study examines one of these environments, Lubber's Bank. The bank is mapped and the physical hydrographic setting in the vicinity of the bank is examined through field measurements, analysis of satellite pictures and predictive techniques. This information is correlated with analysis of sediment texture and composition. Results indicate that the surface sediments on the bank probably originate in the surrounding sea grass beds and on the bank as skeletal material and may have originated by the accumulation of sediments on antecedent topographic highs during the Holocene transgression.

Dynamic geomorphic environments such as the inner continental shelf challenge understanding and compromise predictive abilities because most efforts fail to establish seafloor topologies. A new approach, which takes stock of existing conditions and monitors changes in coastal morphologic features, is needed. Procedures employed in this study feature a morphodynamic context that considers interdependence between hydrodynamic processes, seafloor morphologies, and sequences of change. This study delineates morphodynamic zones by interpreting coastal morphologic features mapped from large-scale aerial photographs. Resulting maps display morphologic features and morphodynamic zones for the inner continental shelf of central Palm Beach County, Florida. The technique improves on existing methods by providing quantitative data on submarine morphology that can be monitored over time to analyze changes in form and association. Increased understanding of inner continental shelf morphologic features, and their variation through time, provides insight into the sequences of change, which may include recognition of erosion hot spots.

A geomorphological map (1:24,000) was prepared delineating various morphostructures (bottom types) along the northern parts of the inner Atlantic continental shelf off Broward County. About 24 geomorphic units were identified on the basis of landform features, coastal process zones, and sediments. These units were delineated on the basis of bathymetric data, side scan sonar images, sub-bottom profiles from Chirp Sonar obtained during a geotechnical investigation and interpretation of aerial photographs. The major morphostructures in the area are associated with three prominent shore-parallel coral/algal reef tracts. The identified morphostructures were correlated to a geomorphological coastal classification scheme developed by Finkl (1997). Each of these units is genetically related to specific process zones. The intervening sedimentary flats between the coral/algal reefs accumulate calcareous sand bodies, which are potential sources of sand used for beach renourishment. These sand sources can be quantitatively evaluated from the sub bottom profiles after calculating the dimensions of these deposits.

Investigations into coastal erosion and accretion characteristically examine changes in shoreline position to determine predictive rates of change. Results of such investigations normally focus on the applicability of mathematical equations or statistical techniques to describe the nearshore sedimentary environment. This thesis integrates various methods of shoreline analysis and extends the focus to include coastal morphology and morphodynamics. Coastal geomorphology is often based on analysis of coastal forms using cross-shore profiles and interpretation of planforms from aerial photographs and other remotely sensed data. Periodic topographic and nearshore bathymetric surveys constitute spatio-temporal data which permit assessment of coastal erosion and accretion. Such changes can be effectively studied through morphological analysis of the spatial and temporal components of nearshore sediment distribution and coastal profile change. This thesis describes the observed changes in shoreline position and corresponding estimates of sediment volume change with alteration in beach profile. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis is applied to quantify total profile variability. Computer programming is utilized for profile generation and volume calculations and comparisons within a geographic information system, allowing other forms of spatial data to be simultaneously analyzed.

Evaluations of shore erosion and protection in Florida are constrained by time and space. This study characterizes about 95% of Florida's beaches based on the degree of urban development, direction and rates of shoreline change, presence of sensitive ecological communities, and distribution of sea defense works. The 22 coastal-county maps prepared for this study show that approximately 195 km (16%) of Florida's beaches are eroding and 283 km (23%) are protected by engineering works. About 72% of eroded beaches are geographically associated with inlets. Sand management at inlets is crucial to improve erosion mitigation in Florida. Suggestions designed to enhance mitigation of beach erosion are based on comparative analyses of potential environmental impacts, costs, and limitations of shore protection works. Alternative technologies that use combined techniques (i.e. bed fluidization/jet-pumps, beach nourishment/dewatering systems, or detached breakwaters) are more efficient, less expensive, and less environmentally hazardous than conventional methods.