FRAGMENTATION

The subdivision of a solid in fragments. The fragments will then adhere to the nearest surface. River fragmentations occur when there is an impediment on the river’s natural flow by the interferences of dams, water withdrawals, inter-basin transfers, which are a sign of the standard to which rivers have been optimized by human efforts. Such examples of fragmented solids are shale, gravel, silt, fossil, and rock fragments, which have been reduced to a size that resembles sand grains.