On the Adhesion of Sediment to Footwear and the Implications for Geoconservation

Research reveals that the quilted 'Bama Sokkets' footwear, introduced at Mistaken Point UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect its ancient fossils from erosion caused by visitor traffic, perform poorly under wet conditions in repelling sediment. This undermines their effectiveness as a geoconservation tool. The study, which builds on materials science findings about footwear-induced rock surface erosion, demonstrates that hydrophobic footwear would be more suitable for preserving geoheritage sites. These insights have already influenced policy at Mistaken Point, marking a significant shift in how such vulnerable sites are managed.

Matthews, J. J., & McIlroy, D. (2019). On the Adhesion of Sediment to Footwear and the Implications for Geoconservation. Geoheritage, 11(4), 1749–1756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00380-3