THE USE OF FLUORESCENT TRACERS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF LITTORAL DRIFT

Abstract

The paper is concerned with experiments, carried out by the Hydraulics Research Station, in an attempt to measure littoral drift along natural teaches. A preliminary laboratory experiment is described in which the dilution method was used to measure unidirectional drift along aTnodel shingle beach, and in which the measurement was found to be reasonably accurate. A modified dilution method is described for use on beaches where the direction of the drift reverses from time to time} and there is then a description of how this method was used to measure the littoral drift along three shingle beaches on the coast of England. In one case it was possible to measure the drift by alternative means and so obtain a check on the accuracy of the method. An Appendix describes how some of the tracer materials were made.