Explain the concept of a sediment cell. (4 marks)

A sediment cell is a section of coast that has been controlled for management purposes, where shingle and sandstone geology is contained and regulated to keep a healthy sediment budget. Sediment cells are usually shaped by the topography of local cliffs and barriers, for example estuaries or bays, preventing sediment from travelling to adjacent cells. Sediment is usually deposited via currents (constructive waves), tides or through human interception such as pipelines and groynes - both terrestrial and human processes. Inside singular cells are sub-cells systems with little to no movement of sediment. This is supposedly a closed system, however this is not always the case as wind direction frequently fluctuates. As sediment is primarily transported by long-shore drift and aeolian processes, a change in wind can have significant influence on the accumulation in the cell having adverse affects on the whole beach system.