Final answer:
The three components of a beach compartment are defined by variations in sand grain size and composition, including coarse sand with shell fragments near the water, medium to fine sand with fewer shells as one moves inland, and fine sand with root structures in areas furthest from the water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three components of a beach compartment can be understood as variations in sand grain size and composition along a beach profile. This incorporates elements such as coarse sand with abundant shell fragments, usually found toward the part of the beach closer to the water, which transitions into medium to fine sand with rare shell fragments and then to medium to fine sand with no shell fragments as you move away from the water. Further inland, fine to very-fine sand can be found, including root structures and cross-bedding features, reaching areas with permanent vegetation. These differences in sand and sediment characteristics are essential for defining the different zones of a beach and are reflective of the dynamic processes that shape coastal environments.