bed
Water is the substance that collects and moves the greatest amount of sediment on Earth's surface. Through processes like erosion and transportation, water carries sediment such as silt, sand, and gravel downstream in rivers and streams, eventually depositing it in deltas, beaches, and other areas.
Sediment can be moved by various agents such as wind, water, ice, and gravity. Wind can transport sediment particles in the air, water can carry sediment along in rivers and oceans, ice can transport sediment in glaciers, and gravity can cause sediment to move downslope in the form of landslides or rockfalls.
the amount of sediment a river is carrying during flow
Glaciers and rivers transport eroded rock material (sediment), that can form new sedimentary rock after deposition.
Stayed about the same.
Moving water is a major force in the transport of sediment. The force of water helps to erode, transport, and deposit sediment in various environments like rivers, streams, and coastlines. The energy of moving water can vary depending on factors such as velocity, volume, and sediment load.
The two primary sources of sediment for beaches are rivers and coastal erosion. Rivers transport sediments from the land and deposit them along the coast, while coastal erosion breaks down rocks and cliffs along the shoreline, contributing sediment to the beach.
Sediment can travel through various processes such as erosion, transportation by water, wind, or ice, and deposition. Water is a significant agent in sediment transport, carrying particles downstream in rivers, streams, and oceans. Wind can also transport sediment through processes like saltation and suspension, while glaciers can move sediment through glacial flow and deposition.
Rivers cause erosion through the processes of hydraulic action (force of water detaching sediment particles from riverbanks), abrasion (sediment particles in the water rubbing against riverbanks), and attrition (sediment particles colliding and breaking down). These processes can wear away the riverbed and banks, leading to the transport of sediment downstream.
Wind, water, ice, and gravity are the main forces that carry sediment. Wind can transport fine particles over long distances, while water can move sediment through rivers, streams, and ocean currents. Ice can transport sediment when it freezes into glaciers, and gravity can cause landslides and rockfall to move sediment downhill.
Most rivers with a large sediment load also have high water velocity because faster-moving water has greater energy, allowing it to transport more sediment. Increased velocity helps lift and carry heavier particles, preventing them from settling. Additionally, steeper gradients and turbulent flow often characterize such rivers, further enhancing their ability to erode and transport sediments. This dynamic relationship between water velocity and sediment load is crucial for shaping river landscapes.
Air is not a sediment transporting agent. Sediment transporting agents typically involve water (such as rivers and oceans), ice (glaciers), or wind. Air can carry dust particles, but it does not transport larger sediment particles like water or ice.