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Centre for Environmental Research, School of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, UK
Laboratory tumbling experiments demonstrate that rounded flint beach shingle is less durable than commonly supposed. The mean rate of abrasion for dark grey Sussex flints (Senonian) in the first few hours of tumbling increases with weight whereas that of white Normandy flints (Turonian and Coniacian) does not. Depending on pebble weight, the Sussex flints abrade at up to six times the rate of the Normandy flints. Abrasion rates also vary according to tumbler load, the water:shingle ratio, and tumbling period. The abrasion rate of Sussex flints decreases with time at a much greater rate than could be expected from the reduction in size. The abrasion debris is mostly silt sized, but small quantities of sand are produced from samples containing larger pebbles. In situ abrasion of flint shingle is estimated to be significant, reducing the protection shingle beaches afford to cliffs thus exacerbating Chalk cliff instability.
