What does sedimentation often do to aquatic habitats?

Sedimentation often smothers aquatic habitats, which can have detrimental effects on the organisms living there. When sediment, which can include soil, sand, and organic matter, settles at the bottom of water bodies, it can cover essential habitats such as riverbeds or coral reefs. This layer of sediment can deprive aquatic plants and animals of the oxygen they need, lead to the suffocation of benthic organisms, and create an environment that is less hospitable for fish and other wildlife that rely on clear water and clean substrates. By burying these habitats, sedimentation disrupts the normal ecological balance and can reduce overall habitat quality and biodiversity in the affected areas.