Sediment Sources, Cells And Budgets Flashcards
List 5 sources of sediment.
Streams/ rivers flowing into the sea Estuaries Cliff erosion Offshore sand banks Material form biological origins
What is meant by material from biological origins?
This includes shells, coral fragments and skeletons of marine organisms
What is the coastal sediment budget?
The balance between sediment being added to and removed from the coastal system, that system being defined within each individual sediment cell.
What is a sediment cell?
A distinct area of coastline separated from other areas by sea-defined boundaries suck as headlands and stretches of deep water.
Where has research suggested that sediment movement occurs?
It occurs in distinct areas or sediment cells.
What is balanced in sediment cells?
Inputs and outputs
How many settlements have been identified around England and Wales?
11
What are sediment cells regarded as in theory?
Closed systems.
What are larger sediment cells divided into? I’m
Sub cells
What do sub cells allow researchers to do?
They allow closer study and management.
Give an example of a sub cell.
Flamborough Head- the Humber Estuary
What happens when more material is removed from the cell than is added?
There is a negative budget or a deficit in sediment supply so the shoreline retreats landward.
What happens if more material is added to the cell than removed?
There is a net accretion of material so there is a positive budget or a surplus of sediment. The shoreline therefore builds towards the sea.
What is difficult to calculate?
Coastal sediment budgets.
What do coastal sediment budgets rely on?
They rely on complex models and estimations.
