Use of the Radioisotopic Sand Tracer (RIST) System.
Abstract
The Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC), under a multiagency program initiated in 1966, has developed a synoptic sand tracing system capable of operating on the beach, in the surf zone, and offshore. This system has application in determining sediment movement along coastal areas. Some specific problems to which the system can be applied are: (a) Mechanisms of sediment movement; (b) improving beach fill criteria; (c) relation of engineering structures to sediment transport; and (d) movement of disposal materials. Sand of the desired size characteristics is plated with gold 198-199 isotopes and sealed in water soluble packets. The packets are injected in the water as either line or point sources by extrusion from the carrier-injection device. Surveying is conducted from an amphibious vehicle (LARC) which tows a ball-like device containing four scintillation detectors. Signals from the detectors are transmitted by cable to the onboard data collection system. The system also collects other data (e.g., navigation, fathometer, etc.) pertinent to surveying; this data is telemetered to a shore-based PDP-8 computer system for field processing. Processed data are plotted on the cathode ray tube (CRT) real-time data display and stored on magnetic tape for further analysis. Data obtained with the RIST system represent nearly synoptic observation of sediment transport within one or all of the nearshore environmental zones over a wide area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA014168
Entities
People
- Charles W. Judge
Organizations
- Coastal Engineering Research Center