Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2006
Mass transport close to the sea bottom is investigated for simple harmonic waves around a body with a small horizontal dimension. For gravity waves it is shown that the mass transport very near the bottom points towards a convex corner, but near the top of the boundary layer its direction reverses. Possible implications for silting near a pile and a harbour entrance are discussed and some experimental evidence given. For tides, the Coriolis force introduces a spiralling variation within the boundary layer, and possible inferences for coastline modification are drawn.