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Glossary

Glossary of Terms

Profile, beach

The intersection of the ground surface with a vertical plane; typically perpendicular to the local shoreline, and may extend from behind the dune line or the top of a bluff to well seaward of the breaker zone.

Erosion

The loss of sediment, sometimes indicated by the landward retreat of a shoreline indicator such as the water line, the berm crest, or the vegetation line.

Nutrients

Substances that are essential for the growth of marine organisms that perform primary production (algae, bacteria, and plants). Excess nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, can be major pollutants.

Perched Beach

A beach or fillet of sand retained above the otherwise normal profile level by a submerged dike.

Current, Longshore

The littoral current in the breaker zone that moves essentially parallel to the shore. Usually generated by waves breaking at an angle to the shoreline.

Marina

A specially designed harbour with moorings for pleasure yachts and small boats.

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