Record of Former Aeolian Processes in Deposits of the Duneless Coast of Catalonia, Spain

Abstract

In the past century, due to natural and anthropogenic impacts, a significant part of the dunes has disappeared from the coastal landscape of Catalonia. This work aimed to investigate whether the textural features of contemporary beach deposits are a record of former aeolian processes. A section of the Mediterranean coast (30 km), currently without dunes, was selected for the study. A total of 20 research sites were established, including 18 on beaches, one on the riverbed and one on the cliff top. The abrasion of quartz grains was studied using the morphoscopic method. The deposits are characterised by a high proportion of fresh and angular grains and a lack or negligible proportion of broken and well-rounded grains, both shiny and matt. Moderately rounded grains with matt edges occur, proving mechanical abrasion during aeolian transport. It has been shown that despite the contemporary lack of dunes, the beach deposits are partly aeolian. This results from the fact that the coastline has significantly shifted landward, and currently, the forelands of former foredunes are included in the water transport, in the deposits of which the effects of previous aeolian processes are recorded.