Fluvial Processes — Transport as Dissolved Load What is the term for the process in which eroded material is dissolved into water and carried as individual ions?

Introduction / Context:
Rivers transport sediment by several mechanisms, each tied to particle size and flow conditions. Distinguishing among solution, suspension, saltation, and traction is foundational for geomorphology and environmental science questions on sediment load and water chemistry.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The material is dissolved into water, existing as ions or molecular species.
• Transport occurs within the water body, not along the bed as discrete grains.
• We match the description to the correct transport term.

Concept / Approach:

Solution refers to dissolved load transport: minerals like calcium, sodium, bicarbonate, and silica are carried invisibly within the water. Suspension moves fine particles (clays, silts) kept aloft by turbulence. Saltation describes sand-sized grains hopping along the bed. Traction involves rolling or sliding of coarse material along the channel bottom. Only “solution” correctly captures ionic transport.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify that particles are not visible; they are dissolved as ions.Map to fluvial load categories: dissolved (solution), suspended, bedload (saltation/traction).Select “solution.”

Verification / Alternative check:

Water-quality analyses (TDS, major ions) quantify dissolved loads, confirming that ionic transport is categorized as solution in standard texts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Suspension: Involves fine solid particles, not ions.Saltation / Traction: Bedload mechanisms for sands, gravels, and cobbles.

Common Pitfalls:

Using “suspension” as a catch-all for anything not bedload; chemical carriage as ions is specifically “solution.”

Final Answer:

solution