Join us Friday, June 14, 2024
for
Applying Source-to-Sink Geologic Concepts to Develop Regional Coastal Management Strategies
as presented by:
Dr. Mike Miner
The Water Institute
New Orleans, LA
Abstract
The Louisiana Coastal Master Plan identifies a need for ~800 million m3 of sediment for coastal wetland and barrier island restoration over the next 50-years. Additionally, it is estimated that ~5–11 billion m3 of sediment could be required to offset future land loss, with comparatively minimal suitable resources identified. The geologic complexity of the Mississippi River Delta Plain (MRDP) and the dominance of low-quality (fine-grained) sediment requires a systematic, regional approach and extensive knowledge of the geomorphic processes and resulting stratigraphic architecture to identify and quantify the high-grade (coarser) sediment resources required for coastal restoration. Utilizing a source-to-sink (S2S) approach to develop geologic models that predict sediment resource occurrence at a reconnaissance scale informs future exploration and is applied to quantify sediment resource reserves. This S2S approach involves interpretation of regional framework geology based on an understanding of the processes and drivers of sediment erosion, transport, and deposition in the fluvial to marine transition zone over various timescales. In this way, areas of sediment production (e.g., fluvial inputs, erosional sources, etc.) are linked to sediment transfer or dispersal corridors (deltaic distributary channels, tidal channels, shorelines) and ultimately locations of sediment deposition as preserved in the stratigraphy and landforms. This approach is applied holistically to interpret MRDP evolution with a focus on coarser-grained sediment delivery to the coast via the deltaic distributary network and potential subsequent reworking and concentration of sand by coastal processes. The S2S approach is applied over various timescales to capture early deltaic deposits preserved in the subsurface as well as sands actively being concentrated by modern processes. These geologic factors are closely linked to engineering concerns and economic viability of sediment deposits for restoration, which are considered in the assessment and quantification of reserves. Over the past three years over 300 million m3 of previously unidentified high-quality, viable sediment resources have been discovered by employing S2S concepts.
Biography
Mike Miner, P.G., Ph.D., is Director of Applied Geosciences at The Water Institute located in New Orleans. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Geology from The University of Mississippi and his Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans in Engineering and Applied Sciences with a focus on Coastal Geology. Mike has extensive experience working across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts collaboratively with government agencies, private firms, and university researchers to develop science-based approaches to improving coastal and river management strategies. Much of his work has focused on sediment management for large-scale restoration programs including the largest barrier island project ever constructed: Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MSCIP) Comprehensive Barrier Island Restoration. Prior to joining the Water Institute in 2018, Mike worked at Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and developed the Gulf-Wide Sand Inventory Program to quantify recoverable offshore sediment resources reserves for coastal restoration programs. He is presently lead investigator on multiple applied research projects including the Lowermost Mississippi River Management Program, Texas Offshore Sediment Management Plan, and Louisiana Sediment Management Plan Implementation.
mminer@thewaterinstitute.org
https://thewaterinstitute.org/
Email:
BRGeologicalSociety@gmail.com
Address:
P.O. Box 80263