Explain how sediment compaction interacts with sea-level rise to drive marsh shoreline retreat.

Explain how sediment compaction interacts with sea-level rise to drive marsh shoreline retreat.

• A. Compaction reduces vertical accretion capacity, while rising sea level increases inundation, leading to shoreline retreat when the balance is negative.
• B. Compaction increases vertical accretion; sea-level rise reduces inundation.
• C. There is no interaction; marsh shorelines are unaffected.
• D. Rising sea level reduces sediment supply, preventing retreat.

Answer: (C)