Sediment pollution is soil out of place. It is a product of activities by man which lead to severe soil loss. When these large quantities of soil enter our waters, sediment pollution occurs. An excessive quantity of soil in our water causes damage to fish and vegetation. Fish have gills which extract needed oxygen out of the water and these gills become clogged when the water becomes too clouded with sediment.
Sediment can cover fish eggs and the gravel nests they rest in.
Sediment destroys the food supply for many species of fish by covering aquatic insect habitat on the stream bottom. Sediment reduces the amount of light penetrating the water, depriving the plants of light needed for photosynthesis. Soil also carries with it other pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and excess nutrients that are spread by the action of the water, causing problems not only at the source but also downstream. Another adverse impact of sediment pollution is the siltation of streams and rivers. Siltation may necessitate the dredging of a shipping channel.