Sediment Cell Concept

Question 1

Most coastal sediment is brought to the shore by

Answer 1

rivers

Cliff erosion is also an important source of sediment at most coastlines

Question 2

Where coastlines are retreating by a few metres a year there is a large input of sediment to the coastal zone

Question 3

Wind can also transport sediment to the shore and this can lead to the build up of …………

Answer 3

sand dunes

Question 4

In high latitude coastal areas glaciers break off into the sea and sediment that was trapped within the ice is deposited at the

Answer 4

coastal zone

Question 5

Sediment Cells are an important way of understanding the coastal system
They can be considered a

Answer 5

closed system as most sediment movement is contained within the cell

There are 11 sediment cells around the UK coastline

Question 6

Sediment cells can be divided into sub-cells where the

Answer 6

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

Question 7

The sediment budget is the

Answer 7

balance between the inputs and outputs of sediment in the system

Question 8

Coastal systems should be in a state where the sediment budget is in a state of

Answer 8

dynamic equilibrium

Question 9

However, human activity and natural changes like climate change can disturb the state of

Answer 9

dynamic equilibrium.

Question 10

In the exam you may be asked about the role of sediment transport in a coastal landscape. To achieve full marks you need to ensure that you explain the formation of more than one landform because the question is asking about the entire landscape rather than a specific landform.