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River processes - EdexcelTypes of transportation

Erosion, transportation and deposition all occur in a river. Moving from the upper course to the lower course, the rates of erosion, transportation and deposition change.

Part of GeographyChanging UK landscapes

Types of transportation

The river picks up sediment and carries it downstream in different ways.

There are four types of :

  • Traction - large, heavy pebbles are rolled along the river bed. This is most common near the of a river, as here the is larger.
  • Saltation - pebbles are bounced along the river bed, most commonly near the source.
  • Suspension - lighter sediment is suspended (carried) within the water, most commonly near the of the river.
  • Solution - the transport of dissolved chemicals. This varies along the river depending on the presence of soluble rocks.
Suspension is sediment carried in the river. Tractions is pebbles rolling along the riverbed. Solution is chemicals dissolved in the water. Saltation are pebbles bounced along the riverbed.