Glossary

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of goods and services produced by a nation, used as a measure of economic activity.

The study of the Earth in terms of its development as a planet since its origin, including the history of its life forms, the materials of which it is composed, processes that act on these materials and products that are formed by them.

A branch of geology concerned with the surface features of the Earth, including landforms and forms under the oceans, and the chemical, physical and biological factors that act on them.

This is the study of the physics of the earth. Geophysical survey techniques use physical properties themselves (e.g. magnetism) or apply properties to see how the earth affects them (e.g. radar), to determine something about the earth structure.

Extremely cold periods characterised by extensive glaciation.

More important in highland areas of Britain, although extensive deposits are worked in certain lowland areas (e.g. East Anglia).

Isostatic adjustments of the Earth’s crust relative to sea level, due to the loading and unloading of ice sheets.

Geomorphic feature whose origin is related to the processes associated with glacial meltwater.

A collection of definitions and explanations of key words and phrases used within the text.

A metamorphic rock formed under conditions of high-grade regional metamorphism. Gneiss is usually coarse-grained and is characterised by a layered appearance.

An assessment of whether the proposed dredging activity is environmentally acceptable, or can be made so by the imposition of appropriate conditions. The Crown Estate will only issue commercial dredging licenses after it receives a positive Government View from the appropriate planning authority.

Grab sampling is a sediment sampling technique used by the aggregate industry as part of benthic surveys u dertaken in preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement. This involves using a grab to scoop a sample of sediment from the upper strata of the seafloor. Different grab samplers are used depending on the size of the sample required and on the type of substrate being sampled.

Particles with diameter gretaer than 2mm and less then 60mm.

The process of collecting physical data in the field to complement and verify data collected by remote sensing/acoustic technology. Detailed calibrations, measurements, observations and samples are taken from pre-determined sites in the field (e.g. grab samples, beam trawl samples and underwater video/photography).

See Government View.