The physical and chemical properties, thus indirectly the geochemical composition, determine the size distribution of minerals in nature. The Rotterdam harbor is maintained by continual dredging. The dredged sediment is disposed at dumpsites at sea. For cost efficient operation, the distance between dredging and disposal needs to be minimal and the material should move away from the harbor. Selective transport of sands Beaches of open seas are good sites to observe effects of selective sediment transport.
Beaches show a large variety in morphology from coast to coast and in time at a particular location.
One of the fundamental properties of a coastline is sedimentary composition.