Morphological and Textural Characteristics of the Beach-dune System in South Korea, with the Possibility of a Dune Type Scheme Based on Grain-size Trend

국내 해안의 해빈-해안사구 지형 및 퇴적물 특성과 입도기반 사구유형 분석

Morphology and grain size distribution of coastal dunes should be well documented because they are critical to dune's buffering capacity and resilience against storm surges. The nationwide coastal dune survey produced the dataset, including beach-dune topographic profiles and grain size parameters for frontal beaches, foredunes, and inland dunes. This research investigated the dataset to describe geomorphic and textural properties of coastal dunes: foredune slopes, dune heights above approximately highest high water, mean size, and sorting, together with associated variables of coastal setting that influence coastal dunes. It also explores the possibility of a dune type scheme based on gran size trends. The results are as follows. First, the coast in which dunes are developed is the primary control on foredune morphology and sediment texture. Coastal dunes on the east coast were developed more alongshore rather than inland, with gentler slopes on the higher ground and out of coarser sand. The shore aspect contributes to this pattern because the east coast cannot benefit from prevailing northwesterly. Second, grain size trends from beaches through foredunes to inland dunes were little identified. Third, 12 dune types were identified from 69 dunes, showing the indicative capability for the status of beaches and dunes. We confirmed that the dataset could increase our understanding of the overall characteristics of coastal dune morphology and texture, though there is something to be improved, for example, establishing the refined and comprehensive field survey protocol.