Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
reach of sea spray form a zone of extremes. Inundation, anaerobic conditions and wetting
at high tide are replaced by uncovered surfaces exposed to bleaching, air flow and drying
at low tide. This leads to
water-layer weathering
by slaking, hydration and salt
weathering (see Chapter 13). Rocks must be permeable to water and spray for this to
occur, and optimum conditions are found in permeable substrates on tropical coasts with
diurnal tides. Carbonate solution is
Plate 17.1
Structural control determines cliff angles and
alignment in Three Cliff Bay, cut in steeply dipping
Carboniferous limestone, Gower, South Wales. Photo: Ken
Addison.
