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Comment by gpvos | Hacker News Reader

The article notes that this is the first time this kind of thing has been done in the UK. And indeed, the Netherlands has been doing it since about a decade: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_engine (also mentions the Bacton gas terminal, as in the article).

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Germany has been doing it for its North Frisian islands sind 1972. The key words: has been doing. It works, but in most cases the sea keeps taking away the sand and you keep having to put it back.

> the sea keeps taking away the sand

Where does it go?

The ocean is big.

Mostly to the bottom, but some remains suspended in a saline dihydrogen monoxide solution.

Saline dihydrogen monoxide?

Don't know if you're meming or trying to sound smart.

Just say seam water man

I had the same question and I’m also not sure why this is getting downvoted. I’ve never seen water referred to that way even in scientific contexts. Is it supposed to be a joke?

Yes, it's a joke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrogen_monoxide_parody

Not the OP here, but the answer seems like an obvious “yes” to me.

The Frisian Islands grow on the lee and shrink on the windward side. As a result they are gradually moving eastward.

It moves along the coast mostly, until it is either blocked by e.g. a port entrance breakwater or in a shallow estuary, or it is washed up to shore and gets blown into the dunes

The Dutch have been doing sand suppletion since similar times. This "sand engine" is supposed to be a more advanced, long-term solution.

It also notes two Dutch companies involved in (and 'mastermind'ing) the project.

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