The genesis of lateral accretion deposits in recent intertidal mudflat channels, Solway Firth, Scotland

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Abstract
The pattern of lateral accretion on an intertidal point bar is a response to the suspended sediment concentrations to which it is exposed. In summer, high sediment concentrations occur only during shallow (ebb) channel flows; deposition therefore takes place mainly on the point bar toe. In winter, high concentrations obtain at all depths and deposition therefore occurs on the upper point bar slopes. Accretion of the point bar toe is limited by scouring resulting from the high rainfall runoff of winter. High suspended sediment concentrations have little effect, however, if flow velocities are too high to allow deposition. Deposition is dependent on the non‐uniformity of curved channel flow and is often confined to the downstream (ebb‐sense) portion of the point bar. The lateral accretion deposits form a series of wedge‐shaped units. Each unit represents one year's deposition, bounded by erosion scarps produced during successive winters. The base of the point bar deposit shows a gradual aggradation, keeping pace with the build‐up of the adjacent interchannel flats.