Sediment Transport And Fluid Flow

Question 1

How are sediment particles transported?

Answer 1

~Fluid flow
~Wind
~Water 
~Ice
~Gravity

Question 2

Define fluid flow and what governs it.

Answer 2

Fluid flow: the ability of a fluid to carry sediment
Controls:
~density of the fluid (higher=greater carrying capacity)
~Viscosity (resistance to flow, decreases as Temp increases)
~Velocity

Question 3

Compare and contrast turbulent and laminar flow.

Answer 3

Laminar flow:
At all points in flow, all molecules are moving in the same direction downstream. Occurs in high velocities

Turbulent flow:
Net flow is downstream, but at any point in the flow, a molecule may be moving any direction

Question 4

Describe the movement of particles in a fluid flow

Answer 4

Particles can be carried as bedload, in which they roll or saltate along the bottom. This is also called the zone of traction.
The particles can become entrained in the fluid and be carried as suspended load.