New formula predicts sediment transport rates more accurately using particle shapes.
The shape of sediment particles affects how they move in rivers. Scientists studied how different particle shapes impact how sediment is carried by flowing water. They used computer simulations and real-world data to figure this out. By looking at saltation lengths, heights, and velocities of particles, they found that particle shape influences how much sediment is transported. They came up with a new formula to better estimate how sediment moves in rivers, taking into account the shapes of natural particles.