THE EFFECTS OF TWO RECENT HURRICANES ON FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES AND SEDIMENTS OF A WAVE-DOMINATED, MICROTIDAL BARRIER-ISLAND SYSTEM, NORTH CAROLINA, USA

Abstract We investigate whether sediment grain-size and foraminiferal data may be used to recognize hurricane activity in sandy barrier island sediments, specifically on Bear Island, North Carolina, USA. Eighteen locations were sampled in 2016 following a five-year quiescent interval. The same sites were resampled in 2018 following Hurricane Florence, and again in 2019 following Hurricane Dorian. Samples were used to test the hypothesis that different sediment sources and transport directions were activated by each storm, thus leading to varying foraminiferal assemblages, and changed sediment characteristics in barrier island environments. The effects of hurricanes Florence and Dorian on sediments and foraminifera of barrier island environments proved to be different and complex. Hurricane Florence reduced environmental distinction and Hurricane Dorian had a lesser effect likely due to its lower energy and different track. Thus, the contrasting energy of these hurricanes, their tracks, and wind directions, were important determinants of changes to the barrier islands that took place in 2018 and 2019. Each hurricane has its own characteristics and subsequent effects on barrier island sedimentological and micropaleontological characteristics. Recognition of discrete episodes of hurricane-driven onshore transport in the sand-rich part of the stratigraphic record of a barrier island system adjacent to a sediment-starved shelf is unlikely.