Surf

Collective term for breakers.

The wave activity in the area between the shoreline and the outermost limit of breakers.
In literature, the term surf usually refers to the breaking waves on shore and on reefs when accompanied by a roaring noise caused by the larger waves breaking.

Glossary of Terms

A sudden increase in the amount of marine algae (seaweed) often caused by high levels of phosphates, nitrates, and other nutrients in the nearshore area.

Fauna

The entire group of animals found in an area.

Urban Runoff

The input of hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemicals to the nearshore marine environment from densely populated areas.

Seagrass

Members of marine seed plants that grow chiefly on sand or sand-mud bottom. They are most abundant in water less than 9m deep. The common types are: Eel grass (Zostera), Turtle grass (Thallasia), and Mantee grass (Syringodium).

Sediment Sink

Point or area at which beach material is irretrievably lost from a coastal cell, such as an estuary, or a deep channel in the seabed.

Mud

A fluid-to-plastic mixture of finely divided particles of solid material and water.

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Surf