Beach Profiling

Introduction: Beach profiling is a way to measure the profile of a beach using a GPS, transect line, rise tool, run tool, and compass. By using this method we can study how the waves and winds affect the structure of the beach. Some factors that get in the way of beach profiling are rocks, big branches, or trees.

Procedure: beach profiling

1.) Gather materials

2.) Use the GPS to mark where you are on the beach 

3.) Connect the transect line to the faded zip tie on the top of the beach and pull it down perpendicular to the water.

4.) Use the compass to find how many degrees it is facing the water.

5.) Stand the rise tool up till the level is straight

6.) Put the run tool at the end of the rise tool, make sure its leveled

7.) Read how many centimeters

8.) Continue this all the way down to the foot of the beach



Sand Origins pre-lab

Introduction: In this Lab we wil be testing different sands from a number of beaches in the area to see if they are either biogenic sand which is anything living or pre-living in the ocean that produces into sand, or detrital sand which is washed away rocks from cliffs that are blown away from currents.

Question: Which beaches in South Maui are Detrital and Biogenic?

Hypothesis. I hypothesize that big beach is biogenic and black sand beach is detrital.

Prediction: If big beach is biogenic, when we do the experiment the sand will crackle, if its detrital it wont do anything.


Procedure:
1.) Gathered materials
2.) Went to Big beach and Black sand beach
3.) Collected and Observed sand from those beaches.
4.) Put sand in beaker
5.) Added 20 drops of vinegar to sand
5.) Observed to see if the sand crackled and popped.



Materials: Pipette, Beaker, Sand, Vinegar, Journal, Plastic Cup

 Black Sand Beach

Big Beach















    On Monday we went to the beaches to collect samples of sand. I observed that the sand at Big Beach was light brown with more of a fine texure and had a thinner feeling. Black sand beaches' sand was more rocky, and dark with light colors mixed together, it was also thicker and felt more dirty.

On Wednesday we tested the sand and found that both big beach and black sand beaches sand reacted to the vinegar, which made them snap and crackle, I was a little surprised that the sand from black sand beach was detrital, but I think it was because their was some lighter color sand from elsewhere that was blended in with that sand.

Conclusion: My question was which beaches in South Maui are detrital and biogenic. I hypothesized that Big beach would have biogenic sand and black sand beach would have detrital sand. My hypothesis was half correct, Big Beach did have biogenic sand but black sand beach did also.

Some errors could have possibly occurred, if we added too much vinegar to the sand during the experiment, also if the sand was accidentally mixed together with other sands.

BIG BEACH

                                       BLACK SAND BEACH

Classmates observing sand