This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

The sound of waves lapping at the beach might be soothing, but those waves are hard at work! Along with winds, tides, and currents, waves constantly change the shape of the beach and dune system. Sometimes sand is added to the beach, sometimes it’s moved along the shore, and sometimes it’s moved offshore.

When too much sand is removed from the shore, in a process called erosion, a reduced beach area can have negative effects. Animals lose their natural habitat; structures become vulnerable to flooding tides and storm waves; and people can’t use the beach anymore for recreation, resulting in a loss of tourism revenue. To help solve the problem, sometimes authorities complete a process called “beach nourishment” in which sand is pumped from offshore areas to rebuild beaches. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.