Water transportation processes

Waves and tidal currents transport material in four ways. The dissolved and suspended
load moves with the natural stream flow, while the heavier bed load bounces or rolls
along the floor of the stream.

Student tasks

1. Unscramble the words to identify the ways that water can transport or move material
along.

NTSOOULI ITTOACRN

TANSTOAIL USONSNPEIS

2. Write a sentence to explain each of the four processes.

3. Draw a labelled diagram to illustrate each of the four processes.

4. Look at the image below. Name and explain the transport processes that you think
are present in this coastal environment.

An aerial view of Coastguard Spit, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Image used courtesy of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
http://www.nps.gov/caco/naturescience/cape-cod-ecosystem-monitoring.htm

© www.teachitgeography.co.uk 18702 Page 1 of 3

 Water transportation processes

5. Look at the image below. Name and explain the transport processes you think are at
work in this river.

Pont y Pair Bridge, Betws-y-Coed

© Copyright Peter and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
http://www.geograph.org.uk/reuse.php?id=2412602

6. Explain the conditions affecting the processes of water transportation. Consider the
different conditions between river and coastal environments.

Extension tasks

7. Draw an annotated sketch of each photograph to show and summarise the water
transport processes at work.

8. Use the diagram on the right, to note the

similarities and differences you can see
between water and wind transportation
processes.

Wind transportation processes

Image used courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/06dec_dunes

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 Water transportation processes
Teaching notes

The processes of water transport processes are relevant to studies of any river or coastal
environment. This activity can be used in the classroom as part of a topic study or as
preparation for part of a fieldwork activity. It also provides an opportunity to use and
develop skills.

Suggested answers
1 Unscrambled processes:

SOLUTION TRACTION

SALTATION SUSPENSION

2 Completed table:

Process Explanation of the process

Minerals are dissolved and carried along

SOLUTION
in the flow of the water

SALTATION Pebbles are bounced along the bed

TRACTION Large boulders are rolled along the bed or the river

Finer sands and silt are carried along

SUSPENSION
in the flow of the water

3 Use the following link to a reference diagram to illustrate the four processes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/images/riv_004.gif

Photographs (4 & 5) – Students should be able to distinguish between a low energy

coastal and a high energy fluvial environment.

6. Answers should include references to rock types, climate differences, high and
low energy environments e.g. differences between processes in a limestone or
granite areas, during floods, storms, gradient changes, changes in velocity etc.

7 This activity provides an opportunity to encourage pupils to look closely at photos

to apply knowledge from the activity.

8 Saltation and suspension are common processes in both wind and water
transportation. Creep is the equivalent of traction. Solution is not a valid
process for transportation by wind.

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