This document investigates the factors influencing the configuration of Brighton Beach in Barbados, detailing both natural and human impacts. Key natural features include the beach's geomorphology, the presence of coral reefs, and vegetation, while human influences stem from developments like a power plant and rum distillery causing thermal pollution and altering beach dynamics. The study employs various methodologies to gather data and suggests solutions such as revetments and groynes to mitigate coastal erosion.

1. CSEC GEOGRAPHY SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT
What are the Factors which have influenced the Configuration of Brighton Beach
in The Parish of St. Michael on the West Coast of Barbados?
Centre Number: 030030
Name of School: The St. Michael School
Name of Candidate: Insert Name
Name of subject teacher: Insert Name
Year of Examination: 2023
Registration number:
03003000

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4
AIM OF STUDY 5
LOCATION OF STUDY 6
METHODOLOGY 8
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 9
CONCLUSION 16
BIBLIOGRAPHY 17
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3. INTRODUCTION
Brighton Beach is located on the west coast of Barbados. It is a part of the
depositional coastline on the island. The aim of this study is to investigate the coastline,
specifically Brighton Beach and assess the data collected. It was originally one
continuous beach until the construction of ‘The Barbados Light and Power Spring
Garden Substation and Generating Power Plant’ and ‘The West Indies Rum Distillery’
established in 1911 and 1883 respectively, which changed this. Brighton Beach is most
famous for its ‘Hot Pot’. The topic of Coastal Geomorphology was chosen so that future
decisions about building development and its effects near beaches may be made with
more knowledge.
‘
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4. AIM OF STUDY
To explain how natural and human phenomena have contributed to the formation and
configuration of the coastline at Brighton Beach.
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5. 4

6. 5

7. METHODOLOGY
1. How
The data was obtained using maps, a record sheet, a measuring wheel to measure the
distance along the shoreline, a tennis ball to determine the wave direction, a stopwatch
to measure the number of waves per minute and a camera to photograph areas of the
beach.
2. When
The data was collected on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2022 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
3. Where
This study was located at Brighton Beach, St Michael, on the west coast of Barbados.
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8. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
THE NATURAL FACTORS WHICH HAVE AFFECTED BRIGHTON BEACH
Brighton Beach which is approximately one mile long is situated on Barbados’s
southwest coast which means it does not face the adverse wind currents of the
northeast trade winds. Brighton Beach has become known for its famous “Hot Pot”
which sits in the middle of the beach. A sand spit has formed parallel to the “Hot Pot”
and there are two berms that extend from the shoreline. (See Figure 3)
Figure 3. Photo showing the “Hot Pot”
and Sandspit on the beach
Additionally, there is a temporary solitary pool visible to the west of the beach.
(See Figure 4)
Figure 4. Photo showing the solitary pool
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9. Beach vegetation aids the development of the beach. Vegetations such as
salt-tolerant plants like manchineel, sea yam, and casuarina trees that grow along the
shore help maintain stability by reducing coastal erosion during high-intensity events
such as tropical storms and when destructive waves do approach the beach.
1. Coral Reefs
When destructive waves approach the coastline and pose a threat to the shore,
these fringing reefs serve as a natural barrier by absorbing wave energy, which
contributes to the accretion of beaches. In earlier times, many reefs were found to have
developed around Brighton Beach's coastline. The pink sand; dead coral reefs that have
been weathered and deposited along the beach, is evident of this. See Figure 5
Figure 5. Photo showing pieces of
the broken residue of coral reefs
2. Berms
A berm is a narrow strip of land commonly found by beaches. 2 beach berms can
be found on Brighton Beach. The first berm represents the height of the high tide and is
one metre from the water and is 1 ¼ feet tall. The second berm which represents the
high tide during weather systems, is 7 metres behind the first and is 1 ½ ft tall.
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10. 3. Constructive and Destructive waves
During our time of research, many constructive waves were observed and
recorded, and few destructive waves. (See Figure 7 below which shows a wave count
done at Brighton Beach on the day of the field trip)
Figure 7. Table showing the number of waves per minute
Times/(minutes) Wave Count
1st 10
2nd 9
3rd 5
4th 8
5th 9
The vast amount of sand present on the shore indicates that constructive waves
are more frequent than destructive waves. This can be explained because Brighton
Beach is located on the southwest of the island and does not face the northeast trade
winds of The Atlantic Ocean which possesses high energy and destructive waves. (See
Figure 8 below to see the differences between constructive and destructive waves)
Figure 8. Diagram showing constructive and destructive waves
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11. THE HUMAN FACTORS WHICH HAVE AFFECTED BRIGHTON BEACH
1. The Power Plant - Background
‘The Barbados Light and Power Spring Garden Substation and Generating
Power Plant’ was constructed for the purpose of providing additional electricity for the
residents along the west coast of the island. Brackish water was used to cool the
turbines in the power plant and was then released back into the ocean. See the photo
below which shows the Power Plant at Brighton Beach in Figure 9.
Figure 9. Photo of The Power Plant
2. The Effects Of The Power Plant
While the location of the plant is beneficial as it uses brackish water to keep its
turbines cooled, it has negatively impacted the beach and surrounding areas. Over the
following years of the construction of the plant, an artificial channel and an artificial sand
spit were developed and thermal pollution has occurred.
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12. a. The Sandspit - The coral has been covered by sand from the sandspit, creating
patch reefs that are ineffective at absorbing wave energy. As the sand continues
to build up on top of the coral reefs they can be smothered, additionally, the
effluence released into the ocean contributes to water pollution. Some parts of
the beach have become thinner as a result of more sand being removed due to
the sandspit's presence.
b. The Artificial Channel & Temporary Solitary Pool - In high intensity episodes such
as hurricanes, the artificial channel is particularly susceptible to rapid change
based on currents and tides. This causes a temporary pool to emerge and go on
either side of the shoreline. The material that is deposited on the channel's edges
divides the ponds, and any marine life that is caught there dies when the water
eventually evaporates.
c. Thermal Pollution - Thermal pollution has occurred due to the presence of the
‘Hotpot” which is 2 to 3 o
C higher than the surrounding sea temperature. This rise
in temperature has caused coral bleaching. See Figure 10 below.
Figure 10. Diagram Showing Coral Bleaching
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13. 3. Rum refinery
The Rum distillery located on the opposite side of the beach, which refines rum
for Caribbean territories has made a similar impact as the Power Plant. The surrounding
areas have been subjected to air pollution, inhibiting plant growth and causing plants to
die. Effluent also caused algae to grow, stealing oxygen from the coral and causing the
migration of marine life. See the photo below which shows the Rum Refinery at Brighton
Beach in Figure 11.
Figure 11. Photo of The Rum Refinery
4. Solutions - Revetment, Groynes & Planted vegetation
The coral that once attracted marine life and posed as a tourist attraction had
been bleached, smothered by effluence which was released into the water by both the
Power Plant and the Rum Distillery and even broken off by some tourists as souvenirs.
In an attempt to reduce coastal erosion due to the damage sustained by coral
reefs, a revetment and 5 groynes were installed as well as the planting of vegetation to
stabilize the ground. These attempts were successful because the groynes have
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14. become covered with sand. Beach vegetation was also able to thrive. (See Figure 12
showing the revetment and groynes in the 1990s and 2022)
Figure 12. Photos showing a comparison of the revetment and groynes when they
were first installed (1900s) and currently (2022)
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15. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there have been several factors that have collectively impacted
the configuration and formation of the coastline at Brighton Beach. While there were
constructive waves that washed deposition along the coast and positively impacted it by
building the beach the construction of the Power Plant and the Rum Distillery which
heated the surrounding waters and formed what is now known as the ‘Hot Pot’. The ‘Hot
Pot’ primarily developed because of the Power Plant, caused thermal pollution and a
shift in tides and currents which caused the formation of an artificial channel. Groynes
and a revetment were constructed as a result of this. The construction of this revetment
proved to be successful through the formation of a new beach along the coast. All of
these factors altogether have made Brighton Beach a unique and important part of the
west coast.
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16. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pethick, John. An Introduction To Coastal Geomorphology.
Edward Arnold Publishers, London, 1993
Wilson, Mark. The Caribbean Environment for CSEC Geography. FIth ed.,
The Oxford University Press, England, 2016.
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