Sediments Sink River’s Flow into Sea

Pesticides, organic carbon, and other nutrients may be reaching the seafloor near continents via an unexpected route. They’re carried along the ocean bottom by dense, sediment-rich plumes of fresh water dumped into the sea by rivers, says a team of scientists.

The submarine Monterey Canyon (dark blue) cuts through the continental shelf off California and extends nearly to the mouth of the Salinas River (arrow).