Sediment Cells

• What is a sediment cell?

  a stretch of coastline usually bordered by 2 prominent headlands where the movement of sediment is more or less contained
• What are INPUTS for sediment cells?


  rivers

  coastal erosion

  offshore sources eg bars, banks
• What are TRANSFERS/FLOWS for sediment cells?

  Longshore drift

  rip currents
• What are STORES/SINKS for sediment cells?


  the beach

  sand dunes

  offshore deposits eg bars or banks
• Although the overall coast is an OPEN SYSTEM, what are sediment cells considered to be?


  sediment cells are considered to be closed systems
• How many sediment cells in england and wales?


  11
• What can each sediment cell be divided into?

  smaller subcells
• What can be mapped and what does this form the basis for?

  The interlinking marine processes of erosion, transportation and deposition can be mapped

  this forms the basis for COASTAL MANAGEMENT