River terrace deposits consist of a diverse composition, featuring sand and gravel with occasional intermingling of silt, clay, or peat. As a historical record, these deposits offer valuable insights into the river's past and its ongoing challenges. Notably, the presence of shellfish remains, particularly Corbicula fluminea, along the river banks and shallows, signifies the integration of new ("invasive") species into the sediment, underscoring the dynamic nature of the river.
Dilip Da Cuhna's work, "The Invention of Rivers: Alexander's Eye and Ganga Descent"1, sheds light on the historical tendency to separate water from land, emphasising the impact of viewing rivers as static objects to be mastered rather than integral parts of a continuous water cycle. This perspective inspires my project, which aims to depict industrial-induced changes on the Lea River by examining gravels and sediments. Urbanisation and agriculture introduce pollutants into the water, influencing sediment deposits and disrupting river dynamics. Consequently, these human interventions shape the gravel composition in a given environment, contributing to the evolving landscape of the river.
The project focuses on documenting these impacts through photography, specifically observing and recording sediment characteristics, including the size and types of gravel and detritus. The sorting and layering of gravel deposits offer valuable insights into past depositional processes. A systematic study of these photographs seeks to unveil differences in sediments across various river sections, surrounding environments, and times. The ultimate goal is to identify traces of environmental damage and geological changes within the sediments, providing insights into their mutual influence over time.
1 Da Cunha, D. 2018. The Invention of Rivers: Alexander's Eye and Ganga's Descent. University of Pennsylvania Press.
