Final answer:
Sediment that floats and is transported in a river's current is known as suspended sediment. It consists of particles such as gravel, sand, silt, and clay, which are determined by the water's velocity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sediment that is transported by floating in the current of a river is called suspended sediment. This type of sedimentation includes various particles such as gravel, sand, silt, and clay. The size and composition of these particles depend largely on the velocity of the water. For example, in the Upper Mississippi River in Illinois/Missouri, one can observe sediment that has been deposited by the moving water of the river. As rivers flow toward the ocean or a large lake, they widen, slow down, and there is more sedimentation due to the decrease in gradient and the increase in volume as tributaries join. This can lead to the formation of deltas or, depending on the conditions, estuarine areas. Furthermore, graded bedding is a geological feature that portrays a sequential arrangement of sediment particles in a single bed, indicating variations in transport energy over time.