Sediment cells

Question 1

What are they determined by?

Answer 1

the boundaries of sediment cells are determined by the topography and shape of the coastline, with a major role played by peninsulas

these act as natural barriers that prevent the transfer of sediment from one cell to another

Question 2

How can sediment cells also be open systems?

Answer 2

it is unlikely that sediment cells are fully closed with
variations in wind direction and tidal currents, meaning that there is some transfer between cells. Fine material is most likely to be transported between sediment cells

Question 3

How is a sediment cell a closed system?

Answer 3

a sediment cell is generally thought to be a closed system, which suggests that no sediment is transferred from one cell to another

Question 4

How many are there in the UK - England and Wales?

Answer 4

11

Question 5

Inputs

Answer 5

Rivers carry eroded sediment from in land into the coastal system

Erosion of a cliff face

movement of material by waves, tides and currents

very small material from sand dunes

Question 6

Transfers

Answer 6

Longshore drift

Offshore currents

Action of the wind

Tidal currents

Question 7

Stores/sinks

Answer 7

Flocculation

Formation of spits and bars

Sand dunes forming

Beaches receiving material from the cliff face and waves

Offshore bars can build beneath the waves

Question 8

Sediment budget

Answer 8

Difference between the amount of sediment entering and leaving

Can be positive or negative

Question 9

Can obtain dynamic equilibrium how?

Answer 9

if left alone by human interventions