DATING COASTAL SEDIMENT STRATIGRAPHY AT BENNETT BEACH, LAKE ERIE, WESTERN NEW YORK

A paleosol within a coastal sand dune at Bennett Beach is of unknown age and origin. The purpose of this project is to date the paleosol and improve our understanding of Lake Erie coastal dune history. The paleosol comprises an A-horizon developed into fine-grained sand overlying a B-horizon of oxidized course-grained sand. The A-horizon is 7 centimeters thick and dips 12˚ to the east. The paleosol can be traced at least 3 meters inland from the exposed section, and 25 m laterally through the coastal dunes. Pottery fragments from the B-horizon are identified as early Woodland pottery (500-900 BCE) based on their plain, corded surface treatment. The archeology of Bennett Beach has been previously studied, and many similar pottery fragments, projectile points and stone tools have been found. Charcoal was also found within the B-horizon at the same depth as the pottery fragments, which may also be archeological and date to the early Woodland. Radiocarbon dating the paleosol is important because it will constrain the age of occupation at the site. An accurate date will also help narrow the possible depositional history of the formation of the paleosol and surrounding dunes. Determining the age and origin of the paleosol will provide a better understating of the post-glacial environment, and of the people that once lived there. Furthermore, the paleosol relates to sand dune stability and perhaps is associated with lake level fluctuations. The most recent Holocene water level increase was the Nippissing Flood event 4,700 years ago, in part caused by post-glacial isotactic rebound. Currently there is one prominent paleosol exposed, but there is a series of older, weaker paleosol layers. Future plans for the site include the use of ground penetrating radar to better determine the complete structure of the site.