Risk Analysis

Assessment of the total risk due to all possible environmental inputs and all possible mechanisms.

Glossary of Terms

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).

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.

Current, Coastal

One of the offshore currents flowing generally parallel to the shoreline in the deeper water beyond and near the surf zone; these are not related genetically to waves and resulting surf, but may be related to tides, winds, or distribution of mass.

Salinity Gradient

Change in salinity which can be expressed in parts per thousand per foot.

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.

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.

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Risk Analysis