Offshore Breakwater

A breakwater built towards the seaward limit of the littoral zone, parallel (or nearly parallel) to the shore.

Glossary of Terms

The low-lying, gently-sloping area landward of the beach often containing fossil sands deposited during previously higher sea levels.

Shoreline

The intersection of a specified plane of water with the shore or beach (e.g. the high water shoreline would be the intersection of the plane of mean high water with the shore or beach). The line delineating the shoreline on nautical charts and surveys approximates the mean high water line.

POPs (persistent organic pollutants)

A diverse group of chemicals that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. A group of twelve POPs (the "dirty dozen") have been initially selected for international action by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS).

Diffuse Sources of Pollution

(Also called non-point sources) Multiple, not easily identifiable sources of pollution (e.g., agriculture, urban areas).

Swash Zone

The zone of wave action on the beach, which moves as water levels vary, extending from the limit of run-down to the limit of run-up.

Bathymetric chart

A topographic map of the bed of the ocean, with depths indicated by contours (isobaths) drawn at regular intervals.

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Offshore Breakwater