EART2221 Coastal Geomorphology and Sediments [UG]
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| Credit: 6 points Availability: Semester 2 (See Timetable) Old unit code: 060.221 | |
| Outcomes: Students are able to search and critically review relevant literature; interpret geomorphological information on maps and aerial photographs; collect, collate, interpret and report geomorphological data including information describing weather, coastal processes and environmental change; describe characteristics of coastal sediments; describe relationships between morphologic units in the field and interpret them in terms of their potentially formative processes; appreciate the relevance of coastal geomorphology and sedimentology to coastal planning and management; plan and compile a technical report; and use Excel software for analysis and presentation of results. | |
| Content: An appreciation of the geomorphology of sandy coasts, their sediments, landforms and the processes that shape them is fundamental to effective planning and management. People depend on coastal resources for their livelihood, food, recreation and disposal of waste products. Additionally, the global population is increasing and, therefore, increasingly dependent on mariculture as a food source. Hence, human effects on coastal and marine environments are of paramount interest to environmental management and clean ocean-farming practices. Factors that determine coastal change, or which alter the biologic cleanliness of estuaries and coasts, impact the health and well-being of humans. This unit examines the processes driving environmental change on sandy beaches. Topics covered in the unit provide a basis for understanding historical and current environmental change, with special consideration given to the assessment and ramifications of shoreline movement on sandy beaches. Weather conditions driving the processes are first considered, followed by an overview of tides and other sea-level fluctuations, waves and currents. An examination of sediment types and provenance provides a contextual understanding of coastal sediment budgets. Comparisons are made between the sediments, processes and morphology of open-ocean and sheltered coastal environments including gulfs, embayments and estuaries. The geomorphological base of coastal management problems is considered wherever appropriate throughout the lecture and laboratory programme. | |
| Assessment: This comprises field and laboratory reports (45 per cent) and a final examination (55 per cent). Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course. | |
| Unit Co-ordinator(s): Associate Professor David Haig | |
| Location: UWA (Crawley) | |
| Mode: on-campus | |
Unit Rules: | |
| Prerequisites: completion of 24 points | |
| Advisable prior study: EART1105 Earth and Environment: Dynamic Planet plus one of EART1104 Earth and Environment: Geological Perspectives or EART1108 Earth and Environment: Geographical Perspectives | |
| Contact hours—lectures: 2 hrs per week; labs: 2 hrs per week; field work: up to 4 days (charges: cost of food and accommodation is borne by the student) | |
Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studysmarter.uwa.edu.au/). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423. | |
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