Sediment

Sediment is like dirt, sand and rocks that are found at the bottom of rivers, lakes, and oceans. It's made up of tiny particles of broken-down materials that have been carried along by water, wind or ice over a long period of time. When there's a lot of sediment, it can change the shape of the land or water, creating new beaches, deltas, and islands.

Imagine you're playing in a sandbox and you scoop up a handful of sand. You notice that some of the sand is heavier and doesn't flow as easily between your fingers. This is because it's made up of a mixture of larger rocks and smaller particles that have settled at the bottom. This is similar to sediment, which can also contain organic material like shells or dead plants.

Sediment can be good for the environment because it provides important habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures. However, it can also pose a risk to infrastructure like dams or water treatment plants if it builds up too much, so scientists and engineers work to manage sediment levels to keep things safe and healthy.