How does sedimentation negatively affect water quality?

Sedimentation negatively affects water quality primarily by smothering aquatic habitats and transporting pollutants. When sediment accumulates in water bodies, it can cover the bottom habitats such as riverbeds and lake bottoms, impacting organisms that rely on these environments for survival. This smothering effect can disrupt spawning and feeding behaviors of fish and other aquatic life.

Additionally, sediments often act as carriers for various pollutants, including heavy metals, nutrients, and toxic substances, which can become attached to sediment particles. When these sediments settle in water bodies, they can release pollutants that harm aquatic organisms and degrade overall water quality. Thus, the accumulation of sediments not only diminishes habitat quality but also poses a significant threat through pollution, highlighting the detrimental impact of sedimentation on water health.