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Equilibrium coastal profiles: I. Review and synthesis

Equilibrium coastal profiles: I. Review and synthesis
Equilibrium coastal profiles: I. Review and synthesis
Applicability of the coastal equilibrium concept depends upon proof of the existence of equilibrium. The present study demonstrates that, on the basis of the sediment continuity equation, three types of equilibrium are possible. Type I equilibrium requires that instantaneous sediment transport rates in both longshore and cross-shore directions are small, representing a final stage of erosion in response to natural processes. Type II equilibrium is reached if there are no variations in the net sediment transport rate in the longshore directions (i.e. zero cross-shore sediment transport). Such a situation occurs if the coastline is straight and there are no alongshore variations in hydrodynamic (i.e. wave and tidal) conditions. Type III equilibrium occurs when there are variations in longshore transport rates but the magnitude of instantaneous transport rate in the longshore direction is small compared with that in the cross-shore directions. In this case, the coastal profile is characterised by parallel advancement or retreat. Disequilibrium occurs if these conditions are not satisfied. Hence, prior to the selection of methods to determine the equilibrium coastal profile and the response time, the type of equilibrium must be identified.
coastal profile, equilibrium, sediment movement
0254-4059
97-107
Shu, Gao
ef989e12-e216-4eb3-b6fa-3c7cf9738f28
Collins, Michael
3b70278b-0004-45e0-b3c9-0debdf0a9351
Shu, Gao
ef989e12-e216-4eb3-b6fa-3c7cf9738f28
Collins, Michael
3b70278b-0004-45e0-b3c9-0debdf0a9351

Shu, Gao and Collins, Michael (1998) Equilibrium coastal profiles: I. Review and synthesis. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 16 (2), 97-107. (doi:10.1007/BF02845175).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Applicability of the coastal equilibrium concept depends upon proof of the existence of equilibrium. The present study demonstrates that, on the basis of the sediment continuity equation, three types of equilibrium are possible. Type I equilibrium requires that instantaneous sediment transport rates in both longshore and cross-shore directions are small, representing a final stage of erosion in response to natural processes. Type II equilibrium is reached if there are no variations in the net sediment transport rate in the longshore directions (i.e. zero cross-shore sediment transport). Such a situation occurs if the coastline is straight and there are no alongshore variations in hydrodynamic (i.e. wave and tidal) conditions. Type III equilibrium occurs when there are variations in longshore transport rates but the magnitude of instantaneous transport rate in the longshore direction is small compared with that in the cross-shore directions. In this case, the coastal profile is characterised by parallel advancement or retreat. Disequilibrium occurs if these conditions are not satisfied. Hence, prior to the selection of methods to determine the equilibrium coastal profile and the response time, the type of equilibrium must be identified.

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Published date: 1998
Keywords: coastal profile, equilibrium, sediment movement

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 180923
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/180923
ISSN: 0254-4059
PURE UUID: a9356b59-28f9-4440-b99c-47d14667a104

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Date deposited: 12 Apr 2011 12:41
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:54

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Author: Gao Shu
Author: Michael Collins

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