Ecohydrological conditions at Braunton Burrows : activities to date including work supported by BGS Opportunity Funds FY 2011/2012

摘要

Ongoing investigation of the ecohydrological conditions at four west coast dunefields (Ainsdale,udNewborough Warren, Whiteford Burrows and Braunton Burrows) has recently been focused atudBraunton in North Devon. BGS Opportunity Funds, coupled with the acquisition by CEH of audpneumatic portable auger, has enabled investigation and sampling from cores taken from ‘deep’udboreholes beneath the high dunes at Braunton along the existing Sandy Lane Shore Slackudtransect. Work has previously focused on the slack floors and the shallow water table beneathudthem. Analyses of chemistry, stable isotopes, SF6, as well as grain size and falling headudpermeability will, in due course, enable a better understanding of groundwater provenance in theuddune fields and of the recharge processes away from the dune slack floors.udPreliminary results are described. Further data are still awaited and will be incorporated in audfuture report. A way forward is described which will deliver peer reviewed papers on the deepuddrilling work at Braunton, a paper on work at Whiteford and detailed investigation fundedudlargely by Natural England and CEH at four new sites. These sites are likely to include two acidudcoastal dunes on the North Sea Coast, which will contrast with the alkaline sites on the westudcoast, one in Cumbria and one elsewhere.