Geomorphology and sedimentology of estuaries.

PERILLO, GERARDO M. E.

Elsevier NOTA: 2DA EDICION EN 1996 ISBN 0-444-82561-4

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 1995 p. 471

0-444-88170-0

Geomorphology is concerned with the study of earth-surface forms and with theirevolution in time and space due to the physicochemical and biological factors actingon them. Most of the evolution is the product of a cyclic process based on erosiontransport-deposition of sediment particles. Added to this are the combinations thatmay occur from the meteorization of a hard rock until the particle is permanentlyburied and becomes part of a new sedimentary rock.In particular, the coastal environments are subjected to the most energeticconditions on the earth surface. Modifications of geoforms and the characteristicsof sediment distribution may occur in very short time periods. Nevertheless spatialand time scales may range from few seconds and centimeters to centuries andthousands of kilometers (Table 1-1). Estuaries are one of the most importantcoastal features subject to strong processes that fully cover the space-temporal scale.Geomorphologic and sedimentologic changes are continuously occurring within andaround estuaries that effect their specific characteristics.