International Journal of Geology and Mining

Vol. 5(2), pp. 245-257, May, 2019. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 3019-8261

Case Study

Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in

the Niger Delta
*1Akpofure, Edirin, 2Akana, S. Tombra
1,2Department of Geology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Grain size analysis was carried out on sixty-four samples representing the upper 5 - 10 cm of
surficial sediments from the sand dunes, backshore and beach face of the Bonny beach for the
grain size distribution and statistical parameters. The result shows that 72.7% of the samples from
the beach face are unimodal, 18.2% bimodal and 9.1% trimodal, whereas, those of the sandunes
and backshore are 54.5% unimodal, 36.4% bimodal and 9.1% trimodal. The modal class is the
0.25 to 0.125 mm size grade (fine sand). Transport by saltation is inferred for the sands. The mean
size for the sand dunes, backshore and beach face are 2.0 ø (fine sand), 1.92 ø (medium sand),
and 1.82 ø (medium sand) respectively. The grains are slightly coarser at the beach face, and finer
towards the sand dunes. The median of the population is 1.92 ø. Sediments are well sorted with
values of 0.43, 0.40 and 0.47 for the sand dunes, backshore and beach face respectively.
Therefore, high waves and current energy is inferred for the beach. Skewness values are -0.034,
-0.05 and -0.07 for the sand dunes, backshore and beach face respectively. It suggests that the
sediments are generally symmetrically skewed, indicative of an environment where the effect of
erosion and deposition are almost balanced. The beach face is however, slightly different with
more erosion. Kurtosis values are 1.17, 1.12 and 1.24 for the sand dunes, backshore and beach
face respectively. The bivariate plots confirm that the sediments are moderately well sorted to
well sorted, the mean size is the medium sand class, the sediments are mesokurtic to very
leptokurtic and are symmetrically to negatively skewed, confirming the dominance of medium
sand population and subordinate coarse and fine sands. Sedimentary structures observed occur
in low to high energy environments.

Keywords: Grain Size Analysis, Beach, kurtosis, skewness, Ripples, Beach Cusps, Cumulative Curve.

INTRODUCTION
The Bonny Island lies in the Niger Delta approximately 40
km South of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It lies between 4° 52ʺ
N to 5° 02ʺ N and longitudes 6° 56ʺ E to 7° 04ʺ E within the
beach ridges onshore geomorphic sub-environment of the
Niger Delta (Figure 1). The topography of the Island is
relatively flat with an elevation of 3.05 atmospheric mean
sea level (NLNG, 2005). It has a tropical climate with two
distinct seasons, wet (April-October) and dry (November-
March). The intricate network of rivers and their discharge
patterns result in the formation of several morphological
units. Akpokodje et al., (2014) recognized five major
geomorphologic units within the Niger Delta. They are:
Active and abandoned coastal beaches; Salt water
mangrove swamps: Freshwater swamps and meander
belt; Sombreiro Warri plain, dry deltaic plain with abundant
swamp zones and Dry flat land and plain. Bonny Island lies
within the active/abandoned coastal beaches (Fakeye &
Akinluyi, 2014) Its sediment fill ranges from Pleistocene to
Recent sediments deposited by fluvial and shallow
continental shelf hydrodynamic processes. The Recent
sediments are delta top deposits made up of medium to
coarse-grained sands, sandy clays, silts and clays. The
area is characterized by strong wave and tidal action,
which further compacts the sediments. Plant growth on
beach ridges over the years have resulted in the formation
of extensive primary tropical freshwater forest. Energy
conditions decrease from shore face to outer edge.
(Amadi, A. N et al, 2012).
*Corresponding Author: Edirin Akpofure; Department of
Geology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa
State, Nigeria. Email: edirinakpofure@yahoo.com;
Co-Author Email: brossatombra@gmail.com

Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
Akpofure and Akana 246
The Bonny Beach sits at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean
facing the Bight of Bonny. It is a long narrow accumulation
of sand parallel to the shore line. A typical beach is divided
into several units which are: sand dune, backshore,
foreshore and shoreface. The backshore represents the
upper part of the beach which is normally dry except when
there is unusual highwater conditions when it can be
flooded or acted upon by waves and rip currents ((Reineck
Figure 1: Showing location of Bonny Beach and sampled points
REGIONAL STRATIGRAPHY
The Bonny beach lies within the Niger Delta. The Niger
Delta complex comprises the sediment load of Mid Eocene
to Recent age. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the
South and to the North by an acuate line which runs
roughly through Benin, Onitsha, Umuahia, and slightly
SSW of Calabar. It extends from about longitudes 3o to 9o
E and Latitudes 4o 30ʺ to 5o 20ʺ N (Whiteman, 1982).
The surface units mapped is part of the Niger Delta
complex and their correlative subsurface formations
equivalent are given in Table 1.
Three main formations have been recognized in the
subsurface of the Niger Delta complex. The Formations
are Akata Formation, the Agbada Formation and the Benin
Formation.
The Akata Formation
The type well is known as Akata 1, drilled about 50 miles
east of Port Harcourt. The Formation has a thickness
Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
and Singh 1980). Surficial samples were collected from the
sandunes, backshore and part of the foreshore in a line
transect. The distance between one transect and another
is 250 m. Grain size analysis was carried out to determine
the particle size distribution and statistical parameters of
sediments in order to describe grain size characteristics,
transport mode, energy of deposition and depositional
processes and environment at the beach.
greater than 3129 ft. (Whitman, 1982). The lithology is
made up of dark grey marine shale that become siltier and
sandy near the top with a lot of plant remains. The Akata
Formation of prodelta megafacies is of marine origin
(Whiteman,1982)
Agbada Formation
The Agbada is made up of sands which are very coarse to
fine grain. They are slightly consolidated and have a
calcareous matrix, though, majority are unconsolidated.
They are poorly sorted except where they grade into shale.
The shales are denser at the base than higher in the
column because of compaction. Shell fragments, lignite
streak, limonite and glauconite occur. Shales become silty
and sandy upwards into the Benin Formation and
shaliness increases downwards and laterally into the
Akata Formation. The thickness ranges from 1400 - 9600
ft. (Whiteman, 1982).
The Benin Formation
The Benin Formation is predominantly made up of fresh
water bearing unconsolidated sands that are very porous
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 247

and permeable. The sands are interbedded in places with the next was 250 m apart. The samples were sent for
clays, peat, and lignite. The Formation represents the delta granulometric analysis which involved drying and sieving
plain megafacies and it is of continental origin. The of the sediments. Samples were oven dried to remove
quaternary deposits in the Bonny beach overlie the Benin moisture content before pouring the loose samples
Formation. through a stack of BSS standard test sieves with different
apertures of known sizes and a minimum time of fifteen
Table 1: Table of Formations in the Niger Delta area minutes used to shake the samples contained in the
SUBSURFACE sieves. This was done to separate the grains into their
Youngest known age Formations Oldest known age various sizes. The results got after sieving were used to
Recent Benin Fm. Oligocene calculate grain size parameters, plot frequency and
Afam Shale Mb. cumulative curves. The calculated parameters include
Recent Agbada Fm. Eocene median, mean, mode, sorting (standard deviation),
Recent Akata Fm. Eocene skewness and kurtosis of the grain population according to
Folk and Ward, 1957.

METHODOLOGY PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

A total of 64 surficial samples representing the upper 5 cm Sixty – four (64) sediment samples were collected from the
– 10 cm were collected by hand from the Bonny Beach. sand dunes, backshore and foreshore (Figures 2 -5).
Collection was articulated to cover the various parts of the Below is the table showing the sample numbers, their geo-
beach – the sand dunes, backshore and the beach face to references, elevations which vary between 1 m to 16 m
make a transect. The distance between one transect and depending on the part of the beach the samples were
collected from and brief textural description.
Table 2: Sample Location Points
SAMPLE Beach zone NORTHINGS EASTERLIES ELEVATION TEXTURE REMARKS
NO. (m)
FB001 Sand dunes N 04o 24ʹ 67Iʺ E 007o 08ʹ 132ʺ 4m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB002 backshore N 04o 24ʹ 673ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 126ʺ 4m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB003 Beach face N 04o 24ʹ 679ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 119ʺ 5m Dark brown, very fine grain
sand
FB004 Sand dunes N 04o 24ʹ 555ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 075ʺ 8m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB005 backshore N 04o 24ʹ 556ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 069ʺ 6m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB006 Beach face N 04o 24ʹ 557ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 064ʺ 6m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB007 Sand dunes N 04o 24ʹ 42Iʺ E 007o 08ʹ 076ʺ 6m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB008 backshore N 04o 24ʹ 42Iʺ E 007o 08ʹ 073ʺ 3m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB009 Beach face N 04o 24ʹ 420ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 071ʺ 1m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB010 Sand dunes N 04o 24ʹ 31Iʺ E 007o 08ʹ 087ʺ 3m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB011 backshore N 04o 24ʹ 309ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 084ʺ 3m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB012 Beach face N 04o 24ʹ 309ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 079ʺ 2m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB013 Sand dunes N 04o 24ʹ 214ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 074ʺ 6m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB014 backshore N 04o 24ʹ 216ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 069ʺ 5m dark brown, fine grain sand Presence of fish
scale
FB015 Beach face N 04o 24ʹ 216ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 065ʺ 2m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB016 Sand dunes N 04o 24ʹ 107ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 073ʺ 2m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB017 backshore N 04o 24ʹ 107ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 064ʺ 4m Light brown, fine grain sand A lot of Nipa fruits
scattered around
FB018 Beach face N 04o 24ʹ 106ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 063ʺ 4m fine grain, dark muddy sand
FB019 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 968 ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 027ʺ 6m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB020 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 969 ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 023ʺ 4m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB021 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 967ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 016ʺ 3m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB022 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 854ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 032ʺ 7m Light brown, fine grain sand Nipa fruit and debris
scattered around
FB023 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 855ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 027ʺ 4m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB024 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 853 ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 019ʺ 2m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB025 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 740 ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 038 ʺ 5m Light brown, fine grain sand Nipa fruit and debris
scattered around
FB026 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 741ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 032ʺ 6m darkt brown, fine grain sand

Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
Akpofure and Akana 248

Table 2 Continue
FB027 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 739ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 026ʺ 4m dark brown, fine grain sand
FB028 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 626ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 045ʺ 3m Light brown, fine grain sand Nipa fruit and debris
scattered around
FB029 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 627ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 037ʺ 6m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB030 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 627ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 029ʺ 6m dark brown, very fine grain
sand
FB031 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 497ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 998ʺ 6m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB032 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 504ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 986ʺ 4m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB033 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 506ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 929ʺ 9m Light brown, very fine grain
sand
FB034 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 367ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 971ʺ 16 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB035 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 368ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 959ʺ 14 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB036 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 369ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 948ʺ 14 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB037 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 261ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 964ʺ 9m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB038 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 262ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 958ʺ 14 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB039 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 263ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 953ʺ 11 m Light brown, very fine grain
sand
FB040 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 103ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 943ʺ 5m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB041 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 104ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 937ʺ 2m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB042 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 104ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 933ʺ 7m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB043 Sand dunes N 04o 23ʹ 014ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 943ʺ 10 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB044 backshore N 04o 23ʹ 014ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 938ʺ 5m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB045 Beach face N 04o 23ʹ 013ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 934ʺ 3m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB046 Sand dunes N 04o 22ʹ 910ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 964ʺ 7m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB047 backshore N 04o 22ʹ 897ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 945ʺ 3m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB048 Beach face N 04o 22ʹ 879ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 920ʺ 8m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB049 Sand dunes N 04o 22ʹ 854ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 004ʺ 6m Light brown, fine grain sand Suspected mica
flakes
FB050 backshore N 04o 22ʹ 838ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 984ʺ 10 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB051 Beach face N 04o 22ʹ 820ʺ E 007o 07ʹ 959ʺ 10 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB052 Sand dunes N 04o 22ʹ 814ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 080ʺ 14 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB053 backshore N 04o 22ʹ 998ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 066ʺ 6m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB054 Beach face N 04o 22ʹ 779ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 053ʺ 13 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB055 Sand dunes N 04o 22ʹ 775ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 161ʺ 12 m Light brown, fine grain sand Debris scattered
around
FB056 backshore N 04o 22ʹ 765ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 159ʺ 11 m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB057 Beach face N 04o 22ʹ 755ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 159ʺ 8m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB058 Sand dunes N 04o 22ʹ 818ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 230ʺ 8m Light brown, very fine grain Suspected mica
sand flakes
FB059 backshore N 04o 22ʹ 813ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 235ʺ 8m Light brown, very fine grain
sand
FB060 Beach face N 04o 22ʹ 807ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 245ʺ 9m Light brown, fine grain sand
FB061 Sand dunes N 04o 22ʹ 89Iʺ E 007o 08ʹ 305ʺ 11 m Light brown, very fine grain Nipa fruit and debris
sand scattered around.
Suspected mica
flakes. Backshore
FB062 backshore N 04o 22ʹ 884ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 310ʺ 8m Light brown, very fine grain
sand
FB063 Beach face N 04o 22ʹ 877ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 315ʺ 7m Light brown, medium grain Broken shells of
sand organism.
FB064 Sand dunes N 04o 22ʹ 958ʺ E 007o 08ʹ 356ʺ 8m Light brown, fine grain sand Suspected Mica
flakes. Backshore

Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 249

Sand dunes Beach face

Backshore
(Berm)
Figure 2: The transition between the sand Figure 3: The beach face – the transition
dunes and the backshore. between the backshore and foreshore.

Beach face
Sand dunes

Figure 4: The transition between the sand Figure 5: The beach face – the transition
dunes and the backshore. between the backshore and foreshore.
GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND STATISTICAL PARAMETERS
The different results from the granulometric analysis were plotted into graphs and grain size statistical parameters were
calculated for all samples and are presented in Table 3. The associated histograms and cumulative curves for the grain
size analysis are presented in Figures 6 – 17.

Table 3: Table showing calculated grain size statistical parameters for samples.
S/N Sample No. Beach Zone Mean (ø) Sorting Coefficient (So) Skewness (GSK) Kurtosis (K) Median (ø)
1 FB001 Sand dunes 2.4 0.51 0.03 0.99 2.4
2 FB004 Sand dunes 2.27 0.45 -0.09 1.02 2.3
3 FB007 Sand dunes 1.8 0.41 -0.15 1.74 1.8
4 FB010 Sand dunes 2.03 0.36 0.07 0.98 2.0
5 FB013 Sand dunes 2.2 0.41 0 0.96 2.2
6 FB016 Sand dunes 2.03 0.34 0.12 0.90 2.0
7 FB019 Sand dunes 2.1 0.32 -0.05 1.13 2.1
8 FB022 Sand dunes 2.87 0.64 -0.06 0.96 2.9
9 FB025 Sand dunes 2.67 0.64 -0.06 0.96 2.7
10 FB028 Sand dunes 1.8 0.41 -0.07 1.15 1.8
11 FB031 Sand dunes 1.37 0.47 -0.12 1.31 1.4
12 FB034 Sand dunes 2.43 0.56 0.07 0.97 2.4
13 FB037 Sand dunes 2.03 0.47 0.06 1.09 2.0
14 FB040 Sand dunes 2 0.41 0 0.96 2.0
15 FB043 Sand dunes 1.8 0.50 -0.15 1.64 1.8
16 FB046 Sand dunes 1.8 0.49 -0.13 1.30 1.8
17 FB049 Sand dunes 1.8 0.40 0.25 1.23 1.7
18 FB052 Sand dunes 1.83 0.37 0.03 1.07 1.8
19 FB055 Sand dunes 1.8 0.31 -0.05 1.13 1.8
20 FB058 Sand dunes 1.7 0.39 -0.19 1.64 1.7
21 FB061 Sand dunes 1.8 0.39 -0.25 1.64 1.8
Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
Akpofure and Akana 250

Table 3 (Continue): Table showing calculated grain size statistical parameters for samples.
S/N Sample No. Beach Zone Mean (ø) Sorting Coefficient Skewness (GSK) Kurtosis (K) Median (ø)
(So)
22 FB064 Sand dunes 1.8 0.30 0 1.02 1.8
Average Sand dunes 2.02 0.43 -0.034 1.17 2.00

1 FB002 Backshore 2.53 0.56 0.07 1.11 2.5

2 FB005 Backshore 2.2 0.41 0 0.96 2.2
3 FB008 Backshore 1.77 0.42 -0.26 1.31 1.8
4 FB011 Backshore 1.9 0.44 -0.13 1.09 1.9
5 FB014 Backshore 2.13 0.36 0.07 0.99 2.1
6 FB017 Backshore 2.1 0.32 0.05 1.13 2.1
7 FB020 Backshore 2.35 0.04 0 0.41 2.4
8 FB023 Backshore 2 0.41 0 0.96 2.0
9 FB026 Backshore 1.9 0.40 0.04 1.07 1.9
10 FB029 Backshore 1.53 0.48 -0.13 1.02 1.6
11 FB032 Backshore 1.25 0.48 -0.12 0.94 1.3
12 FB035 Backshore 2 0.41 0 0.96 2.0
13 FB038 Backshore 2.1 0.38 0 0.82 2.1
14 FB041 Backshore 1.97 0.64 -0.17 1.23 2.0
15 FB044 Backshore 1.9 0.52 -0.17 1.43 1.9
16 FB047 Backshore 1.83 0.46 -0.06 1.56 1.8
17 FB050 Backshore 1.8 0.36 -0.07 1.43 1.8
18 FB053 Backshore 1.83 0.40 0.04 1.23 1.8
19 FB056 Backshore 1.8 0.30 0 1.02 1.8
20 FB059 Backshore 1.73 0.26 0.04 1.23 1.7
21 FB062 Backshore 1.7 0.38 -0.23 1.54 1.7
Average Backshore 1.92 0.40 -0.05 1.12 1.92

1 FB003 Beach face 2.13 0.36 0.07 0.98 2.1

2 FB006 Beach face 2 0.41 0 0.96 2.0
3 FB009 Beach face 1.8 0.52 -0.17 1.43 1.8
4 FB012 Beach face 1.97 0.40 0.16 1.07 1.9
5 FB015 Beach face 1.93 0.36 0.07 0.98 1.9
6 FB018 Beach face 1.9 0.30 0 1.02 1.9
7 FB021 Beach face 2.03 0.45 0.09 1.02 2.0
8 FB024 Beach face 1.93 0.47 -0.01 1.09 1.9
9 FB027 Beach face 1.9 0.52 -0.06 0.92 1.9
10 FB030 Beach face 1.03 0.51 -0.19 1.16 1.1
11 FB033 Beach face 1.73 0.74 -0.15 1.18 1.8
12 FB036 Beach face 2 0.58 -0.14 1.29 2.0
13 FB039 Beach face 1.97 0.62 -0.19 1.35 2.0
14 FB042 Beach face 1.93 0.69 -0.003 1.09 1.9
15 FB045 Beach face 1.8 0.49 -0.13 1.56 1.8
16 FB048 Beach face 1.8 0.47 -0.17 1.48 1.8
17 FB051 Beach face 1.9 0.30 0 1.02 1.9
18 FB054 Beach face 1.7 0.46 -0.15 1.39 1.7
19 FB057 Beach face 1.7 0.41 -0.21 1.74 1.7
20 FB060 Beach face 1.6 0.42 -0.17 1.84 1.6
21 FB063 Beach face 1.6 0.49 -0.13 1.56 1.6
Average Beach face 1.83 0.47 -0.07 1.24 1.82
Overall Average 1.92 0.44 -0.05 1.18 1.92

DISCUSSION the sand dunes, backshore and beach face are 2.0 ø, 1.92
ø, and 1.82 ø respectively. The grains are slightly coarser
The mean is the best measure of average grain size, which at the beach face, and gradually become finer towards the
is best computed from size of particle spread through a sand dunes. This may be due to winnowing off of finer
range of percentile values. The mean grain size values for materials by waves and current at the beach face.
Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta

Sorting is a measure of spread in the size distribution. It is
defined statistically as the extent to which grain spread on
either side of the average diameter. The variations in
sorting characteristics are mainly attributed to the severity
of wave action, water turbulence and current velocity
(Bramha, et al., 2017). The average sorting values for the
sediments are 0.43, 0.40 and 0.47 for the sand dunes,
backshore and beach face respectively. The values
suggest the sediments are well sorted which could be
attributed to high wave energy activities on the beach
(Bramha, et al., 2017).
Skewness measures the symmetry of the grain size
distribution on a cumulative curve. It is a positively or
negatively sign dimensionless number. Positive skewness
characterizes a beach with deposition of sand whereas;
negative skewness indicates erosion or non-deposition
(Duane, 1964). The average values of the skewness are -
0.034, -0.05 and -0.07 for the sand dunes, backshore and
beach face respectively. The average beach skewness is
-0.05, which suggests the sediments are generally
symmetrically skewed, indicative of an environment where
the effect of erosion and deposition are almost balanced.
This study shows that 63.6% of the samples from the sand
dunes are symmetrically skewed, 36.3% are negatively
skewed, and it has an average skewness of -0.034. The
sediments from the backshore also exhibit a symmetrical
skewness with value of -0.05 on the average, but 66.7%
are symmetrical and 33.3% are negatively skewed. The
beach face is slightly different with an average symmetrical
skewness of -0.07. 4.7% are positively skewed, 42.9% are
symmetrical and 52.4% are negatively skewed. From the
above, according to Duane, (1964), erosion or non -
deposition occur minimally on the back shore and sand
dunes, but more on the beach face.
Kurtosis is a measure of the peakedness of the grain
distribution. It is the ratio of the spread of the falls and
center of the distribution. According to Friedman, (1962),
extreme high or low values of kurtosis indicate that some
of the sediments achieved sorting elsewhere in a high
energy environment. Therefore, platykurtic to very
platykurtic and leptokurtic to very leptokurtic sediments are
due to extremely low and high energy environments
respectively (Dora et al. 2011). The average kurtosis value
for the sand dunes is 1.17 (leptokurtic), but 54.5% are
mesokurtic, 27.3% are leptokurtic and 18.1% are very
leptokurtic. 47.6% of the sediments from the backshore
are mesokurtic, 33.3% are leptokurtic and 9.5% are very
leptokurtic but the average value is 1.12 (leptokurtic). The
average kurtosis value of the beach face sediments is 1.24
indicating that they are leptokurtic, but, 47.6% of them are
mesokurtic, 33.3% are leptokurtic and 19.04% are very
leptokurtic.
The median is the average size of the sample grain which
corresponds to the second quartile associated with the
50% percentile Md = φ50. The median grain size for the
sand dunes is 2.0 ø (fine sand) and that of the backshore
Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
Int. J. Geol. Min. 251
and beach face are 1.92 ø and 1.82 ø respectively
(medium sand)
Generally, the mean of the entire population ranges from
1.0 to 2.8 ø, with an average of 1.92 ø, indicating the
sediments are medium sands. The median is 1.92 ø. The
Sorting Co-efficient (So) or Standard Deviation (GSD)
range from 0.26 to 0.74, with an average of 0.44, which
means the sediments are well sorted. The measure of the
symmetry of the grain size distribution: skewness (GSK),
range from -0.007 to 0.117, with an average of -0.05. The
sediments are therefore symmetrical. The kurtosis (K)
range from 0.41 to 1.84, with an average of 1.18, indicating
the sediment population is leptokurtic. Most of the samples
are unimodal, some are bimodal and a few are trimodal.
The samples in the sand dunes and backshore are 54.5%
unimodal, 36.4% bimodal and 9.1% trimodal. While those
of the beach face are 72.7% unimodal, 18.2% bimodal and
9.1% trimodal. The modal class which is the commonest
grain size in the distribution falls within the 0.25 to 0.125
mm size grade - which is fine sand. There are two other
size grades that are significant in the population; they are
the medium sand – 0.5 – 0.25 mm and the very fine sand
-0.125 – 0.063 mm. The separation between the modal
class and these other subordinate classes are close that
one mode of transport can be inferred for them. The
transport mode inferred for the sediment is by saltation.
The coarser sand fragments which are greater than 0.5
mm are not common; they are transported by traction
mode.
Coastal sediments are usually made up of sand and
sometimes of gravelly sediments. The coastal sediments
are gravelly only when source rocks are nearby, rivers may
also bring gravels to the coast and transgressive sea also
produce coast with gravels (Reineck and Singh, 1980).
The sediments of Bonny beach are mainly medium sands
to fine sands on a prograding environment (Whiteman,
1982). This infers sediment provenance that is not near but
the sediments are reworked by waves and currents.
According to Pettijohn (2004), the upper part of the beach
(the backshore) which is above the wave base remains dry
most of the time except when acted upon by waves and
ripples. The waves rework the sediment making them
texturally and mineralogically mature. The sampled
sediments are above the wave base, they are mainly
medium sands to fine sands that show textural maturity by
their well sortedness. Reineck and Singh (1980) observed
that a systematic relationship exists between grain size,
beach slope and exposure to wave action. He inferred that
coarser sand will always form steeper slopes than finer
sand. He concluded that the beach profile changes
periodically with changes in waves in relation to the grain
size and slope relationship. The Bonny beach topography
is relatively flat with an elevation of 3.05 atmospheric mean
sea level (NLNG, 2005) and the mean grain size of the
sediment are medium sands corroborating Reineck and
Singh (1980).
Akpofure and Akana 252

On the beach surface, most of the sedimentary structures
that occur are not preserved but replaced and reworked by
subsequent current flow. Some of the sedimentary
structures observed on the sands include different types of
ripples produced by either waves or current, or the
combined effect of both. The structures are: Longitudinal
ripples, undulatory small ripples, lingoid small ripples,
rhomboid small ripples and beach cusps in the backshore
produced by the swash and backwash movement of
current and current variation from low to high under low
water depth (Figures 18 -26). The rhomboid small ripples
are formed under very thin layer of water by backwash.
They develop under high velocity and extremely shallow
waters (Reineck and Singh 1980). According to Dalrymple
and Lanan, 1976, beach cusps develop on the backshore
of beaches. They develop abundantly on shores of
medium wave energy without strong current, when waves
approach the shore line at almost right angles. They
develop abundantly during retreating storms (Dalrymple
and Lanan 1976; Cloud, 1966). Bubble sand structures
were also observed. These are formed on the coast when
the surf is not too strong and sediment surface is flooded
with water rather too quickly and the entrapment of air
bubbles in the beach sands occur (Reineck and Singh
1980).
size distribution (Griffith 1967). The scatter plot of kurtosis
and skewness (Figure 29) show the sediments are
mesokurtic to very leptokurtic and are symmetrically and
negatively skewed. This suggests the dominance of
medium sand population and subordinate coarse and fine
sands which give symmetric skewness in some part and
the lack of coarse sand and more fine sand in other parts
giving rise to the negative skewness.
The line plot of kurtosis and skewness (Figure 30) shows
peaks of high and low energy regimes (Friedman, 1962).
Current energy is higher in the beach face than the other
geomorphic zones of the beach.
The cumulative curves and frequency histograms of
the distribution are presented below for some of the
samples.

The presence of the sedimentary structures observed and

the predominance of medium sand to fine sand infers
fluctuation of low to high wave and current energy for the
Bonny beach. Figure 6: Cumulative curves for sand dune sediments
BIVARIATE SCATER AND LINE PLOTS OF SAMPLED
SEDIMENTS

Sedimentologists use bivariate plots to discriminate

sedimentary environment and processes. Some of such
plots are used in this study. Griffiths (1967) illustrated that
mean size and sorting are hydraulically controlled in most
environment and best sorted sediments have their mean
size in the fine sand category. The bivariate plot of mean
size and sorting in the sampled sediments (Figure 27)
shows that the sediments are moderately well sorted to
well sorted and the mean size is the medium sand class.
Generally, most beach sediments are slightly negatively
skewed due to the presence of small proportion of coarse Figure 7: Cumulative curves for sand dune sediments
grains (Griffith, 1967). Friedman (1962) showed that most
beach sands are leptokurtic and either positively or
negatively skewed and very leptokurtic deposits have high
sorting which is a reflection of the ability of the current to
winnow sediment. High energy current is able to
differentiate grains into their sizes, whereas, low energy is
unable leading to poor sorting.

Plot of skewness and sorting (Figure 28), shows that the

sorting of sediments range from moderately well sorted to
well sorted and are symmetrically to negatively skewed.
The bivariate plot of kurtosis and. skewness (Figures 29
and 30) is a powerful tool for interpreting the genesis of
sediments, by quantifying the degree of normality of its Figure 8: Histogram for sand dune sediments

Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 253

Figure 9: Histogram for sand dune sediments Figure 13: Histogram for backshore sediments

Figure 10: Cumulative curves for backshore sediments Figure 14: Cumulative curves for beach face sediments

Figure 11: Cumulative curves for backshore sediments Figure 15: Cumulative curves for beach face sediments

Figure 12: Histogram for backshore sediments

Figure 16: Histogram for beach face sediments

Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
Akpofure and Akana 254

Figure 21: Beach cusps

Figure 17: Histogram for beach face sediments

Figure 22: Well-developed rhomboid ripples.

Figure 18: Straight crested small ripples Flow is from left to right

Figure 19: Longitudinal ripples. Crests are straight and Figure 23: Migration of straight crested ripples to lingoid
originate under the combined action of waves and ripples
currents

Figure 20: Undulatory small ripples Figure 24: Bubble sand structure.

Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 255

Figure 25: Deposits of bioclastic material

Figure 29: Scatter bivariate plot showing the relationship

between skewness and kurtosis of beach sediments
collected from the sand dunes, backshore and beach face
of Bonny beach.
Figure 26: Deposits of broken bioclastic material

Figure 27: Bivariate plot showing the relationship between

mean and sorting of beach sediments collected from the
sand dunes, backshore and beach face of Bonny beach

Figure 30: Line plot of kurtosis against skewness showing

high and low energy points in the sand dunes, backshore
and beach face sediments of Bonny beach.

CONCLUSION
Figure 28: Bivariate plot showing the relationship between
sorting and skewness of beach sediments collected from The Bonny beach is a long narrow accumulation of sand
the sand dunes, backshore and beach face of Bonny formed on the beach ridge on the edge of the continental
beach plate facing the Bight of Bonny. It has a relatively flat
Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
Akpofure and Akana 256
topography. Grain size statistical parameters deduced
from the grain size analysis of sediments collected from
the sand dunes, backshore and beach face indicate that
the mean size for the sand dunes, backshore and beach
face are 2.0 ø (fine sand), 1.92 ø (medium sand), and 1.82
ø (medium sand) respectively. The grains are slightly
coarser at the beach face, and gradually become finer
towards the sand dunes. The median of the population is
1.92 ø.
The average sorting values for the sediments are 0.43,
0.40 and 0.47 for the sand dunes, backshore and beach
face respectively. The values suggest the sediments are
well sorted which could be attributed to high wave energy
activities on the beach.
The average values of skewness which range from -0.034
for the sand dunes to -0.07 for the beach face, suggests
the sediments are generally symmetrically skewed,
indicative of an environment where the effect of erosion
and deposition are almost balanced, but erosion occur
more on the beach face which is slightly different, with an
average symmetrical skewness of -0.07. 4.7% are
positively skewed, 42.9% are symmetrical and 52.4% are
negatively skewed.
The average kurtosis value for the sand dunes is 1.17
(leptokurtic), but 54.5% are mesokurtic, 27.3% are
leptokurtic and 18.1% are very leptokurtic. 47.6% of the
sediments from the backshore are mesokurtic, 33.3% are
leptokurtic and 9.5% are very leptokurtic but the average
value is 1.12 (leptokurtic). The average kurtosis value of
the beach face sediments is 1.24 indicating that they are
leptokurtic, but, 47.6% of them are mesokurtic, 33.3% are
leptokurtic and 19.04% are very leptokurtic, suggesting the
current energy on the sand dunes and backshore is more
uniform, whereas, that on the beach face is higher.
Most of the histograms are unimodal, while a few are
bimodal. The modal class which is the commonest grain
size in the distribution falls within the 0.25 to 0.125 mm
size grade (fine sand). There are two other size grades that
are significant in the population; they are the medium sand
(0.5 – 0.25) mm and the very fine sand (0.125 – 0.063
mm). The grains are texturally mature and the transport
mode inferred for the sediments is saltation. The coarser
sand fragments which are greater than 0.5 mm are not
common; they are transported by traction mode.
The sediments of the Bonny beach are medium sands to
fine sands on a prograding basin. This infers a sediment
provenance that is not near but the sediments are
reworked by waves and currents.
The bivariate plot of mean size and sorting in the sampled
sediments confirm that the sediments are moderately well
sorted to well sorted and the mean size is the medium
sand class. The scatter plot of kurtosis and skewness
shows the sediments are mesokurtic to very leptokurtic
Grain Size Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the Niger Delta
and are symmetrically and negatively skewed, confirming
the dominance of medium sand population and
subordinate coarse and fine sands which give symmetric
skewness in some part and the lack of coarse sand and
more fine sand in other parts giving rise to the negative
skewness.
The line plot of kurtosis and skewness also shows current
energy is higher in the beach face than the other
geomorphic zones of the beach.
The sedimentary structures observed on the backshore,
which are: longitudinal ripples, undulatory small ripples,
lingoid small ripples, rhomboid small ripples and beach
cusps, bubble sand structures and broken bioclastic
material occur in low to high energy environment.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This field work was sponsored by National Center for
Marine Geosciences, (NGSA), Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
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Accepted 1 May 2019
Citation: Akpofure E, Akana TS (2019). Grain Size
Analysis of Beach Sediments from Bonny Beach in the
Niger Delta. International Journal of Geology and Mining
5(2): 245-257.
Copyright: © 2019: Akpofure and Akana. This is an open-
access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
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