Upcoming Events

Sep

2016

The CZMU in collaboration with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and the CleanBim Project invites you to their 4th and last underwater cleanup.

Jul

2016

Summer Internship Programme

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON JUNE 15, 2016.

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Glossary of Terms

Sediment Transport

The main agencies by which sedimentary materials are moved are: gravity (gravity transport); running water (rivers and streams); ice (glaciers); wind; the sea (currents and longshore drift). Running water and wind are the most widespread transporting agents. In both cases, three mechanisms operate, although the particle size of the transported material involved is very different, owing to the differences in density and viscosity of air and water. The three processes are: rolling or traction, in which the particle moves along the bed but is too heavy to be lifted from it; saltation; and suspension, in which particles remain permanently above the bed, sustained there by the turbulent flow of the air or water.

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon in which corals under stress (e.g., by elevated water temperature) expel their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) in large numbers, or the concentration of algal photosynthetic pigments decreases. As a result, the corals' white skeletons show through their tissue and they appear bleached.

Oversplash

The water that splashes over the top of a breakwater, seawall or other coastal defence structure.

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.

Uprush

The rush of water up the foreshore following the breaking of a wave, also called swash or run up.

Crest

Highest point on a beach face, breakwater, or seawall.

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