INFLUENCE OF SHIPWRECKS ON SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS: FLORIDA GULF COAST

To determine how shipwrecks affect sedimentation patterns, surface sediment samples were collected off Bradenton Beach, Florida around the sunken ship, Regina, dedicated as Florida’s 10th Shipwreck Underwater Archaeological Preserve. Surface sediment samples were collected at distance intervals of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 13, 18, and 23 meters from the shipwreck. Grain size, carbonate content, and Total Organic Matter (TOM) decreased with increasing distance from the shipwreck. Decreases in grain size and carbonate content with increasing distance from the shipwreck are consistent with an increase in flow velocity caused by the wreck. The decrease in TOM is interesting as organic matter is normally associated with fine gained sediments. This decrease in TOM with increasing distance may be due to an increase in biological productivity associated with the hard surface provided by the shipwreck.