Climate & Environment
Sedimentation
The deposition of eroded soil in rivers, reservoirs and coastal waters — silting up infrastructure and smothering aquatic ecosystems.
Definition
Sedimentation is the settling and accumulation of eroded soil particles in water bodies. Accelerated by deforestation, poor agricultural practice and construction, excessive sedimentation shortens reservoir life (some major reservoirs have lost substantial fractions of capacity), raises flood levels, blocks navigation channels, degrades fish spawning gravels and smothers coral reefs and seagrass near eroding coasts.
Overview
The overview for this term is being prepared.
Review
Help keep this definition useful and accurate.
Submitted reviews stay private until an editor decides whether to accept and attribute them.
Contribute to this entry
How would you like to contribute?
Every endorsement and suggested edit is checked by an editor before anything changes publicly.