dissolved load

views updated May 08 2018

dissolved load The part of a river's total load that is carried in solution. Five ions normally constitute approximately 90% of the dissolved load: chloride (Cl), sulphate (SO4−2), dissolved bicarbonate (HCO3), sodium (Na+), and calcium (Ca2+). Generally the load is at its maximum concentration during low-discharge conditions when groundwater is the main source of flow.

dissolved load

views updated Jun 27 2018

dissolved load The part of a river's total load that is carried in solution. Five ions normally constitute approximately 90 per cent of the dissolved load: chloride (Cl), sulphate (SO2−4), dissolved bicarbonate (HCO3), sodium (Na+), and calcium (Ca2+). Generally the load is at its maximum concentration during low-discharge conditions when groundwater is the main source of flow.