Geomorphology and sediment mobility on sand banks: A study of Dogfish Bank, Hecate Strait, Northeast Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Movement of sediment along shallow continental shelves is a natural process with wide-ranging environmental and economic implications, making it of high importance to marine spatial planning efforts in the offshore. Development of marine renewable energy, for instance, requires detailed understanding of the morphodynamics of mobile bedforms to select foundation types and ensure safe installation of infrastructure in shallow shelf environments. This study evaluates geomorphology and sediment mobility of Dogfish Bank (< 20 mbsl) in the Hecate Strait offshore British Columbia, Canada, using hydroacoustic and airborne bathymetric data combined with seismic profiles and grain-size information. These data reveal current-swept features ranging from sediment-depleted lag to sediment-abundant sand ridges and dunes, with sand ribbons and furrows in-between. Seismic reflection data show up to 15 m of surficial sand concentrated beneath north-aligned sand ridges that dominate the bathymetry of northwest Hecate Strait. Sand ribbons (typically understood sediment-limited features in shallow marine environments) are notably maintained over seabed with comparable sand thickness to adjacent dunes (i.e. sediment-abundant features), suggesting local spatial variability in hydrodynamics and sediment characteristics (principally grain size) influence expression of mobile bedforms. Repeat mapping between 2008 and 2019 shows dunes and ribbons both migrate northwards, with largest seafloor changes along northeast-facing lee sides of dunes, matching closely with published models of sediment mobility which suggest northward bedform migration is largely driven by storms. Median total migration distance is 164 m (northward) for dunes (time-averaged rate of 14.9 m/year). Sand ribbons show less migration (median northward distance of 73 m) and migrate in a depth-dependent manner. Because sand ribbons are typically flow-parallel features, their lateral migration likely results from varying current directions and flow acceleration over shallower seabed. Sand ribbon migration should therefore a consideration in studies examining seabed change, particularly when they are formed over unconsolidated sediment.