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Introduction

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Sediment Matters

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Abstract

Natural river basins are continuously evolving and adapting. Erosion, sediment transport and sedimentation have been key factors for landscape development, the genesis and degradation of soils, water quality, the evolution of aquatic habitats and the formation of river deltas for geological eras. Both small and substantial changes in sediment distribution, erosion, deposition, and transport are natural and necessary processes in aquatic ecosystems. The magnitudes of the sediment loads transported by rivers have important implications for the functioning of the system; for example through their influence on material fluxes, geochemical cycling, water quality, channel morphology, delta development, and the aquatic ecosystems and habitats supported by the river.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany

    Johannes Cullmann & Peter Heininger

Authors
  1. Johannes Cullmann
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  2. Peter Heininger
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Correspondence to Johannes Cullmann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. IHP/HWRP Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany

    Peter Heininger

  2. IHP/HWRP Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany

    Johannes Cullmann

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Cullmann, J., Heininger, P. (2015). Introduction. In: Heininger, P., Cullmann, J. (eds) Sediment Matters. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14696-6_1

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