Sediment - cells, weathering, etc

Question 1

sediment cell definition

Answer 1

is a stretch of coastline within which sediment movement is more or less contained

Question 2

what are sediment cells bordered by

Answer 2

2 large headlands or deep water

Question 3

how many sediment cells are there in the UK

Answer 3

11

Question 4

implications of sediment cells

Answer 4

the amount of sediment gained from the sources and lost to the sinks can be quantified and a sediment budget can be made to highlight variations in the amount of source and sink sediments - useful for assessing coastal change

Question 5

problems with the sediment cell concept

Answer 5

cell boundaries in such a dynamic system cannot be fixed and static as the sediment cell concept suggests

Question 6

how are rivers a source for the ocean – explain how it is important

Answer 6

fluvial sediment often accounts for most coastal sediment in high rainfall environments where lots of erosion occurs. this sediment will be deposited in river mouths and estuaries where it will be reworked by the tides and waves

Question 7

how is cliff erosion a source for the ocean - how is it important

Answer 7

can be extremely important locally in areas of unconsolidated rock. eg Holderness coast (erosion can be up to 10m a year). adds to the sediment cell in the area- deposition

Question 8

how is offshore sediment transported into the system

Answer 8

sediment can be transferred into the coastal zone by waves, tides and currents. storm surges associated with tropical cyclones and tsunami waves can also be responsible

Question 9

what are sand dunes

Answer 9

sand dunes are semi-dynamic features at the coast that represent both accumulations of sand and potential sources

Question 10

how can geographical location determine the type and rate of weathering a coastline experiences (bring in each of the types of weathering- biological, chemical, mechanical

Answer 10

biological weathering: wide bio diversity in the area= more erosion
chemical weathering: rock type= v important– carboniferous rocks= more reactive= more weathering
mechanical weathering: freeze thaw is dependant on location- if it never freezes or melts freeze thaw won’t occur

Question 11

mass movement definition

Answer 11

is the downhill movement of weathered material under the force of gravity

Question 12

types of mass movement (5)

Answer 12

soil creep/solifluction 
mudflow
runoff 
landslide 
rock fall