A Simple Low Cost Method for One Person Beach Profiling.

There are several methods used to obtain beach profiles, the simplest expression of a beach. This paper describes a method that requires only one person to measure beach profiles and compares its characteristics with other existent techniques. The method was tested at several locations, with different environmental conditions: Coogee Beach, NSW. Australia, which is a small, embayed beach: Arealonga Beach. Galiza, NW of Spain, which is a large embayed beach with a wide inter tidal area; and A F´brica Road, a path laid with asphalt located near Arealonga Beach. Only items of equipment are necessary, a horizontal pole joined at one end to a vertical pole at a ninety-degree angle, and a standing calibrated pole. Using levels the horizontal pole is adjusted and the height is recorded at the unattached end with the standing pole. The sub aerial profile can be completed with the repetition of the sequence. A comparisonof this method in eleven different profiles with other techniques shows its viability, resulting in a precision of 99.76% with regards to electronic apparatus (Total Station or Theodolite). The method has advantages as only one person is required to conduct beach profiles, surveys can be conducted at night or in the rain, it is not necessary to see the horizon and the apparatus is easy to transport and of low cost. The main disadvantage is that a mistake can be cumulative, a problem that is shared with other non- electronic methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]