Grain Size and Shape Analysis of Sand Collected Along a Lake Michigan Beach Profile: Kirk Park, Michigan

In Kirk Park, an Ottawa County park located along Lake Michigan, sand samples were collected at six locations along a beach profile, from the swash zone to the active fore dune. The goal of this project is twofold: (1) to determine if the sand is coarser in the swash zone and gradually fines toward the dune area; and (2) to determine if the sand in the dunes has a greater roundness than that closer to the water. The six samples were analyzed for grain size using sieves. one sample was duplicated, taken approximately one meter from another sample in the traverse, and analyzed for comparison. Grain shape was estimated using a binocular microscope along with a sphericity and roundness scale. Also using a binocular microscope, an estimate of the mineralogy of the sand was made to note any differences between the beach and dune sand should be evident.

Sponsor: Patricia Videtich