Why Moving Water Transports Sediment and Also Cleans Clothes
When I have questions about basic geology, I refer to Physical Geology by Charles C. Plummer, David McGeary, and Diane H. Carlson. It is an introductory college text with great explanations for everything geology related with many pictures and diagrams.
For example, why does flowing water transport or carry sediment? The answer is on page 28,
"In a water molecule, the two hydrogen atoms are tightly bonded to the oxygen atom. However, the shape of the molecule is asymmetrical, with the two hydrogen atoms on the same side of the atom. This means the atom is polarized, with a slight excessive positive charge at the hydrogen side of the molecule and a slight excessive negative charge at the opposite side. Because of the slight electrical attraction of water molecules, other substances are readily attached to the molecules and dissolved or carried away by water. Water has been called the universal solvent. Dirt washes out of clothing; water, in blood, carries nutrients to our muscles and transports waste to our kidneys and out of our bodies."
Of course for our purposes in this blog, streams and rivers also transport sediment.
Erich P Rapp.
