The hydrogeology of the coastal zone of north Norfolk

Green, Adrian R., Hiscock, Kevin M. and Andrews, Julian E. (2010) The hydrogeology of the coastal zone of north Norfolk. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Norfolk, 59. pp. 10-52.

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

This paper describes the nature and relative significance of groundwater discharge to the coastal zone of North Norfolk, assessed from the integration of geological information and results from field surveys of groundwater occurrence and salinity. The complex hydrogeology of the barrier coastline is found to be dependent on the inland groundwater catchment area and the geology and tidal regime of the coastal zone. Along the western half of the barrier coastline, west from the River Burn, there is a zone of active groundwater influx determined by a large Chalk groundwater catchment area and a coastal geology dominated by thin Holocene marsh deposits with a high component of permeable coarse clastics (sands and gravels). In contrast, in the eastern half of the coastline, the salt marsh between Wells-next-the-Sea and the mouth of the River Stiffkey is a zone of low groundwater influx controlled by a small groundwater catchment area and with a geology characterised by thick Holocene back-barrier deposits with little coarse clastic material. The remaining coastal sections of reclaimed salt marsh are characterised by a low to moderate groundwater inflow and the presence of glacial sand and gravel beneath Holocene marsh deposits. A hydrogeological conceptual model is presented that identifies several groundwater flow mechanisms of potential groundwater discharge within the coastal system of North Norfolk that demonstrate various pathways for groundwater transfer including: (a) at the land-marsh boundary; (b) to the Holocene marsh deposits; (c) from the beach and dune barrier system; and (d) from the underlying Chalk directly to the sea.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Water Security Research Centre
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Geosciences
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Rachel Snow
Date Deposited: 16 Feb 2011 16:19
Last Modified: 07 Jul 2021 23:46
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/21480
DOI:

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item