Sand ridges in the mid-outer shelf as potential san borrows areas (NW Mediterranean)

An extensive dataset of vibrocores and high-resolution seismic data allowed characterizing a sand ridge field in the Valencia mid-outer shelf. Sediment coring revealed a layer of coarse sand to gravel with pebbles corresponding with the basal reflector which is identified in the seismic profile and interpreted as the Holocene ravinement surface. Internally, the sand ridges displays medium to high angle dipping reflectors indicating long-term migration towards the southeast, in the direction of present-day sediment transport. In addition, the occurrence of interbedded mud layers within the ridge sand unit, together with the dipping internal reflectors suggests episodic ridge migration and reactivation. The internal structure of small sand ridges also provides additional information about the mechanisms of ridge degradation. Regarding to the use of the Valencia sand ridges as potential borrow area, it was identified a sand deposit of 22·million m³ of relatively well-sorted medium and coarse sand with a limited mud content, that must be preserved as strategic sand reservoir.