Chapter Two Definition, properties, and classification of muddy coasts

Abstract

This chapter discusses the definition, properties, and classification of muddy coasts. A coastal sedimentary environment is understood as one in which processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition of sediments are because of the coastal and estuarine forcing mechanisms. It extends more or less from wave base-typically of order 6–10 m water depth on the open coast, but much less in sheltered embayments and lagoons—that is, inland within estuaries or embayments to the limit of direct marine influence. Muddy depositional environments typically occur in the lower energy part of the coastal environmental hydrodynamic energy ranges. In mud-rich shallow waters of muddy coastal areas, the sea floor may be characterized by fluid mud. Mangrove forests occur widely in the tropics, and their root mat assists in the trapping of fine suspended sediments, so that typically they are surrounded by mud deposits. Mangrove stands also occur on the landward shores of coral enclosed lagoons, and likewise may induce a veneer of muddy deposits to occur over the coral.