Crossing the Boundaries: How Key Advancements in Understanding of Headland Sediment Bypassing Improves Definition of Littoral Cells

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Oceans 2022-08, Vol.127 (8), p.n/a
• Main Authors: George, Douglas A., Castelle, Bruno, Mulligan, Ryan P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Boundaries; Cells; Climate change; Climate models; Coastal zone; Computer models; Continental interfaces, environment; field observations; Geophysics; Headlands; littoral cell; Littoral environments; Mathematical models; modeling; Parameterization; Sciences of the Universe; Sea level changes; Sea level rise; Sediment; Sediment movement; sediment transport; Sediments; shoreline position; Shorelines; Storms; Water levels; Wave energy; Wave power
• ISSN: 2169-9275; 2169-9291
• DOI: 10.1029/2021JC018269

Headland sediment bypassing connects short‐term physical forcing and long‐term morphological response. The contributions from King et al., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JC017053 are a substantial step in understanding the complexities by combining field observations, process‐based numerical modeling, and empirical generalization with the development of an improved parametrization of headland sediment bypassing. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge about littoral cell boundaries, or as proposed in this commentary, littoral cells that respond to varying wave energy and water levels that may influence the results from shoreline change models. Evolution of the shoreline in the context of climate change can be better understood by considering variability in littoral cell boundaries. Plain Language Summary To better understand how shorelines will change with sea level rise and more storms, we need to widen how we view sediment moving along the coast. An important step involves using field research and computer models to improve our knowledge about how rocky headlands affect sand and mud moving in the coastal areas. The paper we write about provides a roadmap to do those types of studies about sediment movement around headlands. The next step is to consider changes to the size and shape of regions of the coast that sediment pulses through instead of boxes that trap sediment. Key Points Headland sediment bypassing relates short‐term physical forcing and long‐term morphological response, which is vital for shoreline position The paper we comment on creates a useful guide to examine headland sediment bypassing and littoral cell boundaries The concept of littoral cell zones includes temporal variability and anticipated climate change‐induced evolution of the shoreline