Coastal Sediments

Question 1

How is most coastal sediment brought to the shore?

Answer 1

By rivers, a little by cliff erosion

Question 2

What happens where coastlines are retreating a few metres per year?

Answer 2

A large input of sediment to the coastal zone

Question 3

What can transports sediment?

Answer 3

Wind (build up of sand dunes)

Question 4

How does high latitude coastal areas move sediment?

Answer 4

Glaciers break off into the sea and sediment that was trapped within the ice is deposited at the coastal zone

Question 5

Why is a sediment cell considered a closed system?

Answer 5

As most sediment movement is contained within the cell

Question 6

How many sediments cells are there in the UK?

Answer 6

11

Question 7

How can sediment cells be divided?

Answer 7

Into sub cells where the inputs (sources), stores (sinks), transfers and outputs within the system can all be identified

Question 8

What is the sediment budget?

Answer 8

The balance between the inputs and outputs of sediment in the system (should be in a state of dynamic equilibrium which human activity and natural changes like climate change can disturb)