Background of PEM

All beaches lose and gain sand depending on the tides, precipitation, wind, waves etc. However, well drained beaches seldom lose sand. A well drained beach can accommodate more water and the swash sink in easily leaving sand on the beach during each swash cycle. As the tides move up and down on a normal beach fine particles move as well, and form thin layers in the beach, that limit the beach's ability to drain effectively during falling tide. With the PEM System installed the beach's ability to drain is restored, and the beach will grow. The hydraulic changes caused by PEM are minimal. The improved drainage at the PEM modules, result in a few extra sand grains staying on the beach during each swash cycle in stead of being washed back to sea. At 3 - 5 million swash cycles a year the beach will eventually accrete. A clear effect of the PEM system is typically seen within 6 months. To obtain the optimal effect you have to have circulation in the swash zone, and PEM is especially effective at high energy coasts with lots of waves.  The patented PEM system is invisible to the beach visitor, and popular among environmentalists as it is the most unobtrusive system available. Surfers will appreciate that PEM causes no or little change to the shape of the sea floor. Turtles may appreciate the wider beach as a result of the PEM accreting more sand. The invention of PEM Denmark has a total shoreline of 4,500 miles including the long heavily eroding West Coast of Jutland. PEM was invented in the early nineties at the tip of Jutland in the town of Skagen. The PEM system became an object of attention in the mid-nineties, when a number of eroded Danish beaches benefited from the system Official testing The PEM system has been tested over a number of years by several University Groups.