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Louisiana's multi-billion-dollar island buffers guarding mainland towns from storm surge could be losing tons of storm-scoured sand to a Gulf graveyard.
According to a new LSU co-authored study, a storm-battered barrier island regained just 16% of its lost sand after five years, leaving over 80% stranded offshore.
Researchers there found big storm waves are dumping that sediment into waters that are too deep for natural tides to wash back.
Coastal scientists warn Louisiana must redesign restoration projects to keep storm surges from swamping mainland communities.
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