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Description
Description of Capability: Processes and analyzes fluvial-sediment samples for concentration of sand and finer material.
Specifications/Capabilities: Suspended sediment concentrations and fine/sand separation
Scientific Opportunities/Applications: Sediment concentrations and discharges in rivers and streams must be defined and monitored for effective water resource planning and water-quality assessments. Sediments are a principal carrier of pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants in streams. Therefore, sediment data are critical to the evaluation of physical habitat for aquatic life. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2009) estimates that excessive sediment is the leading cause of water-quality impairment in water bodies in the United States.