Key Points

• Coastal System

  • Open system with inputs, outputs, transfers and stores 
  • Sediment cells contain movement of sediment in dynamic equilibrium 
  • Energy from wind, gravity, flowing water drives transfers 
• Coastal Processes

  • Erosion: Hydraulic action, corrosion, attrition, abrasion 
  • Transportation: Traction, saltation, suspension, solution 
  • Deposition: Gravity settling, flocculation 
• Coastal Landforms

  • Erosional: Caves, arches, stacks, stumps 
  • Depositional: Beaches, spits, bars, tombolos 
  • Submergent: Rias, fjords, Dalmatian coasts 
• Sea Level Change

  • Isostatic: Local land uplift/subsidence 
  • Eustatic: Global sea level changes 
  • Current predictions: 0.3-1.0m rise by 2100 
• Coastal Management

  • Hard engineering: Sea walls, groynes, revetments 
  • Soft engineering: Beach nourishment, dune stabilisation 
  • Sustainable: Integrated Coastal Zone Management