What is the cause of the erosion on beaches?
The movement of sand on a healthy beach is a normal and necessary process for the long term health of the beach and the living organisms that the beach nurtures and supports. However, absent massive storms, rapid erosion is not a natural process, but rather the result of chemical or physical forces caused by the activities of man. Beaches are physically eroded by the movement of water in the form of high waves, strong currents and storm surges (USGS). Breaking waves erode the coast by suspending sand/sediment particles or dislodging rocks. Powerful storms rapidly raise water levels and accelerate coastal currents causing a rapid loss of sand. These physical agents can be minimized by the application of SAND-Rx. Chemical agents of beach erosion include organic contaminants such as petroleum products and oils. These products can render the sand hydrophobic (water repellant) and more susceptible to erosion. There are also hundreds of industrial and household chemical products that end up
