likelihood of coquina outcrops is based on similarity of beach and dune morphology and 

 sediments with other segments of the Florida Atlantic coast (Boca Raton, Jupiter Island, 

 Cocoa Beach, Marineland Beach) that are partly nourished by local outcrops of Pleistocene 

 coquina, usually assigned to the Anastasia Formation. 



Of 13 samples collected a few miles north of False Cape south to Canaveral Harbor, 10 

 are coarse sand size and 3 are medium size. (Figure 19.) Sand accumulated behind the north 

 structure at Canaveral Harbor (Sample 012-42, Fig. 17) is fine -sized and low in carbonate. 

 The rubble piles of shell that occasionally mantle the beach between Cape Canaveral and 

 Canaveral Harbor often exceed 8 feet in diameter and are mostly whole shells. These 

 mounds are probably developed during storms which transport the organisms from the 

 adjacent shoreface and shoals onto the beach, thus periodically contributing shell material 

 to the beaches. 



South of Canaveral Harbor, beaches become progressively coarser and shell-enriched for a 

 short distance in response to local coquina outcrops. The outcrops represent a remnant 

 strand hne, as indicated by composition and seaward dip of 8 degrees, that is being actively 

 uncovered and eroded. Between Cocoa Beach and Canova Beach, shell content and grain size 

 increase in a southerly direction; source material is injected locally into the littoral drift 

 system from large exposures of coquinoid Hmestone which are present from —3 feet MLW 

 to the berm crest along the coast between Canova and Melbourne Beaches. (Figure 20.) 



Components of beach sands are similar to Type A sediments. Terrigenous contribution is 

 predominantly quartz; nearly absent are both accessory light minerals (chert, feldspar, mica) 

 and heavy minerals. Carbonate grains are well rounded and highly poUshed. Whole shells and 

 large fragments, commonly found in storm rubble pUes, show signs of some abrasion before 

 deposition on the beach. Particle color covers the spectrum of red, red-brown, brown, black, 

 gray, and white. Nearly all shell material is "fresh" in appearance; that is, few shells have a 

 bored and worn surface comparable to the relict reworked material from the outer shelf. AU 

 shells having red and red-brown coloration are fresh, suggesting that the color is taken soon 

 after death of the fauna by alteration of the organic matrix. Worn shells are frequently gray 

 and black in color, possibly indicating color is derived secondarily by reduction of original 

 iron oxide coating. 



MoUusks are the primary contributors of carbonate material, whether from living fauna or 

 reworked coquina deposits. Venus clams, cockles, arcs and other pelecypods are the chief 

 source. However, whelks, conchs and other gastropods, presumably indigenous to the large 

 shoals off False Cape and Cape Canaveral, contribute a significant amount of shell to 

 beaches in that vicinity. The presence of ooids are of particular note, for the grains are 

 derived only from a submarine source, thus indicating contribution of shelf material to the 

 beaches. (Pilkey and Field, 1972.) 



IV. DISCUSSION 

 1. Sediment Distribution and Origin. 



a. General. The upper subbottom of the Cape Canaveral survey area contains four 

 distinct lithologies designated Types A, C, E, and H. Type A is commonly exposed on the 

 surface and Type E is always the lowermost unit stratigraphicaUy. Types A, C, and H are 

 present in different vertical positions; their repetition and varying stratigraphic position are 

 due in part to assignment of types on a basis of descriptive Uthology rathern than fades 



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