Observe
how sediment is transported by flowing water.
! Click the image to see the animation.
Jennifer Loomis,
TERC
Flowing water transports gravel, rocks, and boulders downstream by rolling or sliding them along the bottom of the streambed.
Small grains of sand and gravel can bounce along the bottom in a series of jumps.
Smaller sand, silt, and clay particles are transported in suspension. The particles move downstream suspended in the turbulent water, giving the water a muddy appearance.
Dissolved rock materials (not visible) move downstream in solution.
