sedimenting
Particles drifting down
Sedimenting is the process of particles settling to the bottom of a liquid or other medium.
In scientific contexts, it describes how suspended matter gradually sinks under gravity: The sample was left sedimenting overnight.
The term appears in laboratory procedures and geological descriptions of how layers form over time.
Division into distinct levels
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- settlingReaching resolution or rest
- accretionGrowth through external addition
- accumulatingGathering in increasing quantity
precipitation · lamination · bedding · superposition · coating · blanketing · overlay · mantling
Accumulation of fine waterborne particles
- turbidityCloudiness from suspended particles
- flocculationParticles clumping into aggregates
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- sludgeSemi-solid waste material
dredging · mud · detritus · water treatment · reservoir · riverbed · lakebed · runoff
Reducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- faciesDiagnostic facial appearance
burial · paleontology · petrology · core sample · erosion · weathering · alluvial · deltaic
Falling through water
- subsidingDecreasing in intensity
- driftingMoving without purpose
- gravitatingBeing pulled toward
- precipitatingCausing to occur suddenly
depositing · filtering · descending · falling · resting · collecting · lodging · dropping
stratification
Division into distinct levels
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- settlingReaching resolution or rest
- accretionGrowth through external addition
accumulating · precipitation · lamination · bedding · superposition · coating · blanketing · overlay · mantling · encrustation
siltation
Accumulation of fine waterborne particles
- turbidityCloudiness from suspended particles
- flocculationParticles clumping into aggregates
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
sludge · dredging · mud · detritus · water treatment · reservoir · riverbed · lakebed · runoff · particulates
compaction
Reducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
facies · burial · paleontology · petrology · core sample · erosion · weathering · alluvial · deltaic · fluvial
sinking
Falling through water
- subsidingDecreasing in intensity
- driftingMoving without purpose
- gravitatingBeing pulled toward
precipitating · depositing · filtering · descending · falling · resting · collecting · lodging · dropping · gradual
sedimentingdissolving
Passing into solution
solubilizing · dispersing · suspending · emulsifying · homogenizing
sedimentingrising
Act of ascending
floating · ascending · buoying · levitating · surfacing
sedimentingdispersing
Spreading widely apart
scattering · diffusing · redistributing · disaggregating · eroding
sediment, sediments, sedimentary, sedimentation, sedimented, sedimentary rock