Sediment Types - Version 2

• Sand• Silt• Gravel• Organic matter

What Sand A granular materialLooks Like: made up of finely divided rock and mineral particles. Sand particles are smaller than gravel and bigger than silt

More About SandSand is formed by the erosion of rock.Sand can contain many different types ofminerals depending upon what rocks arenearby.Sand that is inland (away from the coast)typically consists of quartz.Sand that is by tropical (warm) waters, istypically formed from limestone.

What Silt Made up of particles of rockLooks and minerals that are biggerLike: than clay and smaller than sand. Silt can be soil or as a sediment mixed with water. When soil is made up of silt is wet, it is slippery, NOT grainy.

More About SiltSilt is created by erosion. Siltysoil is good for growing cropsbecause it allows plants to take rooteasily.Silt can act as a habitat for manyanimals. For example, some frogshibernate by burrowing deep in silt.

What GravelGRSAmVaEll Lrocks,Looks Like: pebbles, or stones. The small groups of rocks are called aggregate.

More About GravelGravel is used to create the surfacesof many roads – especially in rural(out in the country) areas.Gravel is also important in the makingof concrete.

What Does Material made upOrganic Matter of the remains ofLook Like? plants and animals.

More About Organic MatterOrganic matter is made up of theremains of plants and animals andthus contains many nutrients.Organic matter moves nutrients todifferent habitats. It also helps keepwater in the soil – called waterretention.