Which term refers to the component of river load that is carried in suspension within the water column?

Which term refers to the component of river load that is carried in suspension within the water column?

• A. Transportation
• B. Weathering
• C. Suspension
• D. Dissolved load

Answer: (C)

Suspended load refers to the fine sediment held up and carried within the water column by the river’s turbulence. These particles, like silt and clay, are light enough to be kept in suspension as the flow moves, rather than rolling along the bed. This differs from dissolved load, which consists of minerals dissolved in the water and carried invisibly, and from bed load, which includes larger particles that move along the river bed by rolling, sliding, or hopping. The term describes a specific way sediment travels within the river, contributing to turbidity when flows are strong enough to keep more material in suspension.

Suspended load refers to the fine sediment held up and carried within the water column by the river’s turbulence. These particles, like silt and clay, are light enough to be kept in suspension as the flow moves, rather than rolling along the bed. This differs from dissolved load, which consists of minerals dissolved in the water and carried invisibly, and from bed load, which includes larger particles that move along the river bed by rolling, sliding, or hopping. The term describes a specific way sediment travels within the river, contributing to turbidity when flows are strong enough to keep more material in suspension.