EM 1110-2-1100 (Change 1)
31 Jul 03
S
S-SLOPE BREAKWATER
Rubble mound with gentle slope around still-water level and steeper slopes above and below.
SALIENT
A bulge in the coastline projecting towards an offshore island or breakwater, but not connected to it as in the case of
a TOMBOLO - see also Ness and Cusp. Developed by WAVE REFRACTION and diffraction and long shore drift.
SALINITY
Number of grams of salt per thousand grams of sea water, usually expressed in parts per thousand (symbol: ‰).
SALINITY GRADIENT
Change in salinity with expressed in parts per thousand per foot.
SALT MARSH
A marsh periodically flooded by salt water (also tidal marsh; sea marsh).
SALT-WEDGE ESTUARY
In this circulation type, the density-driven component dominates and two well-mixed layers are separated by a sharp
HALOCLINE. The seawater entering the channel appears as a tongue or wedge.
SALTATION
That method of sand movement in a fluid in which individual particles leave the bed by bounding nearly vertically
and, because the motion of the fluid is not strong or turbulent enough to retain them in suspension, return to the bed at some
distance downstream. The travel path of the particles is a series of hops and bounds.
SAND
Sediment particles, often largely composed of quartz, with a diameter of between 0.062 mm and 2 mm, generally
classified as fine, medium, coarse or very coarse. Beach sand may sometimes be composed of organic sediments such as
calcareous reef debris or shell fragments.
SAND BAR
(1) See BAR. (2) In a river, a ridge of sand built to or near the surface by river currents.
SAND BYPASSING
See BYPASSING, SAND.
SAND DUNE
A DUNE formed of sand.
SAND REEF
See BAR.
SAND SPIT
A narrow sand EMBANKMENT, created by an excess of deposition at its seaward terminus, with its distal end (the
end away from the point of origin) terminating in open water.
SAND WAVES
(1) Longshore sand waves are large-scale features that maintain form while migrating along the shore with speeds
on the order of kilometers per year. (2) Large-scale asymmetrical bedforms in sandy river beds having high length to height
ratios and continuous crestlines.
Appendix A Glossary of Coastal Terminology
A-67
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