Accretion

The deposition of sediment, sometimes indicated by the seaward advance of a shoreline indicator such as the water line, the berm crest, or the vegetation line.

Glossary of Terms

Scour

The removal of underwater material by waves and currents, especially at the base or toe of a shore structure.

Primary production

The process in which organisms synthesize organic matter from inorganic materials, or the organic matter itself.

Overwash

Transport of the sediment landward of the active beach by coastal flooding during a tsunami, hurricane, or other event with extreme waves.

The part of the uprush that runs over the crest of a berm of a structure and does not flow directly back to the ocean or lake.

The effects of waves overtopping a coastal defence, often carrying sediment landwards which is then lost to the beach system.

Seawall

A structure, often concrete or stone, built along a portion of a coast to prevent erosion and other damage by wave action. Often it retains earth against its shoreward face.

A structure separating land and water areas to alleviate the risk of flooding by the sea. Generally shore-parallel, although some reclamation seawalls may include lenghts that are nromal or oblique to the (original) shoreline.
A vertical or near-vertical type of shoreline armouring characterised by a smooth surface.

Erosion Watch Spots

Areas where the coastal environment will soon be threatened if shoreline erosion trends continue.

Turbidity

A condition of a liquid due to fine visible material in suspension, which may not be of sufficient size to be seen as individual particles by the naked eye but which prevents the passage of light through the liquid.

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Accretion