Coastal and Estuarine Processes


Book Description

This book is an introductory treatment to coastal and estuarine processes for earth scientists or engineers. Suitable for a first course on the subject, it covers water waves, surf zone hydrodynamics, tides in oceans and estuaries, storm surges, estuarine mixing, basic sediment transport, coastal morphodynamics and coastal groundwater dynamics. The book contains a substantial amount of new material. For example, the explicit, analytical treatment of transient, forced long waves strongly enhances the discussion on tsunami, storm surges and surf beat. The treatment of turbulent mixing includes finite mixing length effects, which provide an explanation for differential diffusion of different sediment sizes in suspension. The recently discovered effects of acceleration skewness and boundary layer streaming are also included in the basic sediment transport models. In addition, the treatment of beach groundwater dynamics: The mechanisms by which waves as well as tides drive groundwater motion, builds the link between the previously unconnected fields of coastal hydraulics and regional groundwater modeling. To serve as an effective reference book for professionals, the book is fully indexed and comprehensively cross referenced.







Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology


Book Description

Grounded in current research, this second edition has been thoroughly updated, featuring new topics, global examples and online material. Written for students studying coastal geomorphology, this is the complete guide to the processes at work on our coastlines and the features we see in coastal systems across the world.







Sandy Beach Morphodynamics


Book Description

Sandy beaches represent some of the most dynamic environments on Earth and examining their morphodynamic behaviour over different temporal and spatial scales is challenging, relying on multidisciplinary approaches and techniques. Sandy Beach Morphodynamics brings together the latest research on beach systems and their morphodynamics and the ways in which they are studied in 29 chapters that review the full spectrum of beach morphodynamics. The chapters are written by leading experts in the field and provide introductory level understanding of physical processes and resulting landforms, along with more advanced discussions.




Mitigating Shore Erosion Along Sheltered Coasts


Book Description

Like ocean beaches, sheltered coastal areas experience land loss from erosion and sea level rise. In response, property owners often install hard structures such as bulkheads as a way to prevent further erosion, but these structures cause changes in the coastal environment that alter landscapes, reduce public access and recreational opportunities, diminish natural habitats, and harm species that depend on these habitats for shelter and food. Mitigating Shore Erosion Along Sheltered Coasts recommends coastal planning efforts and permitting policies to encourage landowners to use erosion control alternatives that help retain the natural features of coastal shorelines.




Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology


Book Description

Coastal environments are arguably the most important and intensely used of all areas settled by humans. The coastline changes, not only over the centuries or decades but in a matter of hours and minutes. This rapid development applies both to the form of the coastline and to coastal processes. This new book is an introduction to the environments and and processes that occur along the world's coastline. The coastlines of the world provide 'natural laboratories' for investigating the physical, chemical and biological processes that produce the rich diversity of coastal landforms. Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology begins by addressing generic concepts, global issues and processes that are common to most coastal environments including the morphodynamic paradigm, Quaternary sea-level fluctuations, tides, waves and sediment transport processes. Later chapters address the morphodynamics of the five main types of coastal environments, namely fluvial-, tide-, and wave-dominated environments, rocky coasts, and coral reefs and islands. The final chapter considers the issue of coastal management, and in particular the management of coastal erosion. This comprehensive and in-depth book is an essential reference handbook for students looking to extend their analytical skills and interest in coastal morphodynamics. Fully illustrated throughout, each chapter contains boxed sections designed to aid further study by providing either a further analysis or treatment of a particular issue, an interesting application of a principle just discussed in the body of the text, or a virtual field trip.







Environmental Science in the Coastal Zone


Book Description

This book assesses the dimensions of our scientific knowledge as it applies to environmental problems in the coastal zone. The volume contains 10 papers that cover different aspects of science, management, and public policy concerning the coastal zone. A consensus is presented on several key issues confronting science for developing a more holistic approach in managing this region's intense human activities and important natural resources.




Beaches and Coasts


Book Description

Coastlines of the world are as diverse as any geological setting onEarth. Beaches and Coasts is an exciting and unique new textbookthat provides an exhaustive treatment of the world's differentcoasts and details the highly varied processes that have shapedthem. Having conducted research on coastlines throughout the world,the authors draw on a wealth of experience that broadens thecontent of chapters and provides for numerous and varied examples.The book furnishes a basic understanding of the tectonic framework,hydrographic regime, climatic setting, and geologic materials thatdetermine the morphology of a coast. Individual chapters aredevoted to major coastal environments such as barriers, tidalinlets, marshes, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, glaciated coasts,rocky coasts and many others. Beaches and Coasts provides the necessary content forteaching a broad coastal geology course. Though designed forintroductory students, its comprehensive treatment of coastaltopics will make it appropriate for many upper level courses. Exciting and unique textbook that provides an exhaustivetreatment of the world's different coasts and details the highlyvaried processes that have shaped them. The authors draw on a wealth of experience that broadens thecontent of chapters and provides for numerous and variedexamples. Provides a basic understanding of the tectonic framework,hydrographic regime, climatic setting, and geologic materials thatdetermine the morphology of a coast. Individual chapters are devoted to major coastal environmentssuch as barriers, tidal inlets, marshes, estuaries, lagoons,deltas, glaciated coasts, rocky coasts, and many others. Provides comprehensive content for teaching a broad coastalgeology course for both introductory and upper level courses.