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Definition:
Sedimentation
occurs when mineral and organic materials block the flow of a waterbody.
ediment
can get into the water anytime vegetation is cleared from the land of a
stream is straightened. Without vegetation in place, the soil easily
erodes away. Any time there is a narrow place in the channel of a
waterbody or some sort of blockage, the flow will slow down at this
point. This will lower the flow causing some of the sediment to fall to
the channel bottom. Of course, the more sediment falls to the
channel bottom, the the channel becomes blocked and this cycles
continues until the permanent blockage is removed by fast-moving stream
flow or people.
Why
does it cause pollution?
Sedimentation
in a waterbody can block the flow in that waterbody. When the
water is slowed down, then it can lower the oxygen levels in the
water. This can occur
How
does it get into water?
Sediment
can get into the water anytime vegetation is cleared from the land of a
stream is straightened. Without vegetation in place, the soil easily
erodes away. Any time there is a narrow place in the channel of a
waterbody or some sort of blockage, the flow will slow down at this
point. This will lower the flow causing some of the sediment to fall to
the channel bottom. Of course, the more sediment falls to the
channel bottom, the the channel becomes blocked and this cycles
continues until the permanent blockage is removed by fast-moving stream
flow or people.
What
land uses are the source of this type of pollution in the B-T Basin?
Causes
in the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins are unknown. In some other
places they might be caused by natural
sources, construction, or
urban
or agricultural runoff.
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