Mark Scheme Hjulstrm Curve

Varun Tumuluru
31/01/14
Describe the variables that govern the processes of erosion, transportation and deposition in a
river channel 5 marks (1 mark per variable+ description; no description, no mark.)
Variables that govern processes of erosion include:
o River velocity: An increased river velocity will mean an increased turbulence;
defined as violent or unsteady movement of air or water
1
. An increasingly turbulent
flow will result in more interaction between the river, its bed and banks, and the
sediment that it is transporting, meaning the erosion by hydraulic action; abrasion and
attrition will be increased as velocity is increased and decreased as velocity decreases.
o River discharge: An increased river discharge will result in the ability for a river to
carry more sediment, and larger sediment, meaning there will be more interaction
between sediment causing increased erosion by processes such as abrasion and
attrition.
o Gradient of river: Steep gradients result in an increased stream velocity causing
increased erosion.
Variables that govern processes of transportation include:
o Gradient of river: Steep gradients result in an increased velocity which means an
increased ability for the river to transport load.
o Velocity: An increased velocity will result in an increased ability for the river to
transport load.
o River discharge: An increased river discharge means a higher volume of water
resulting in an increased ability to carry dissolved and undissolved sediment.
o Stream depth: An increased stream depth will mean that there is less contact
between river and its sediment, reducing transportation of larger sediment loads.
Though a higher stream depth generally means higher river velocity resulting
in an increased amount of transportation.
o Type of sediment: Sediment with smaller particle size will be easier to transport via
saltation; solution and suspension that sediment with larger particle size by traction.
This applies to all of the above variables as well as standing as an
independent variable.
Variables that govern processes of deposition include:
o Particle size: Due to gravity; defined as the force that attracts a body towards the
centre of the earth
2
larger particles will settle on the river bed at a much quicker rate
while smaller particles tend to stay in suspension at much higher rates; causing
graded bedding (vertical sorting
3
).
o Particle shape: A flatter particle will settle faster than a round particle due to
resistance
4
.
o River velocity: As a river loses velocity, sediment will be deposited easier. While a
fast moving river will not deposit sediment at the same rate because suspension is still
active, meaning load cannot be deposited as easily.

1
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/turbulence
2
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/gravity
3
www.westhamptonbeach.k12.ny.us/cms/lib2/.../1562/(6)_Sorting.pptx
4
http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/earthsci/units/weathering/deposition.cfm