Sediment cells

Question 1

Sediment origins

Answer 1

• Rivers
• Cliff erosion
• Longshore drift
• Wind
• Glaciers
• Offshore

Question 2

Sediment cells

Answer 2

• Inputs (sources), derived from the river, coastal erosion and offshore sources.
• Transfers (flows), like longshore drift with onshore and offshore sources.
• Stores (sinks), such as the beach, sand dunes and offshore deposits.

Question 3

Sediment budgets

Answer 3

• In a sediment cell, material gained and lost is part of the sediment budget.
• The sediment cell seeks to reach dynamic equilibrium.
• It can be disrupted by events, such as increased river discharge introducing lots of sediment. Severe storms can also erode and remove sediment.