Question

Which one of the following processes is NOT a mechanism for bedload sediment transport in a river channel?

• A. Cavitation
• B. Sliding
• C. Rolling
• D. Saltation

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The question asks which of the given processes is NOT a mechanism for bedload sediment transport in a river channel. To solve this, we need to understand the different mechanisms of sediment transport:

1. Sliding: This occurs when particles move down a slope in contact with the riverbed. It is a common mechanism for bedload transport, where various environmental factors cause particles to slide along the bed.
2. Rolling: This mechanism involves particles rolling along the riverbed. Rolling is typical for larger sediment particles that are too heavy to be lifted easily.
3. Saltation: This refers to particles being lifted intermittently into the flow and then falling back to hit the bed, causing them to hop or bounce downstream. This is a common process in bedload transport.
4. Cavitation: This is a process that occurs due to the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles in a liquid. Cavitation is not related to the physical transport of sediments along a riverbed. It is more relevant to hydraulic machines and fluid flow in pipes and doesn't contribute to sediment movement in a river channel.

Given these explanations, we can conclude that Cavitation is NOT a mechanism for bedload sediment transport. It is unrelated to sediment movement and pertains more to fluid mechanics involving vapor bubble formation. Therefore, the correct answer is:

Cavitation