A large drainage basin with many tributaries have a greater potential for transporting sediment. E.g. Mississippi River has a drainage basin the size of 1/3 the USA. The river transports 340million tonnes via suspension + 40m tonnes via saltation.
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Relief
Low relief where small altitude difference between source and base level results in little energy for transporting river load.
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Rock type
Where the geology is relatively soft (sandstones/clays) the sediment transported consists mainly of sand/clay particles as they are easily eroded. Where rock is limestone, more load will be dissolved by the river.
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Precipitation
Low loads found with low precipitation and vice-versa.
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Human activity
Can have either effect of increasing/decreasing capacity of river. Deforestation/Nitrates used by farmers which are washed into the river will increase the capacity of river load. Whereas dams will reduce downstream yields.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Relief
Back
Low relief where small altitude difference between source and base level results in little energy for transporting river load.
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