Which term refers to the gradual accumulation of soil or silt in a river or body of water?

The term that refers to the gradual accumulation of soil or silt in a river or body of water is batture. Batture is categorized as the land that forms on the banks of a river due to silt and sediment deposition. This process occurs over time, leading to the creation of new landforms along water bodies as sediments settle and build up, outlining areas where vegetation may also take root.

Understanding batture is important in the context of river dynamics and sediment transport, as it plays a significant role in the ecological and geological changes occurring in and around waterways. This sediment accumulation can influence water flow patterns, habitats for wildlife, and human activities along rivers, such as agriculture and development.

The other terms provide separate concepts: dredging refers to the removal of sediment from the bottom of water bodies to create deeper navigation channels; floodplain denotes flat land adjacent to rivers that becomes inundated during floods but does not specifically refer to the accumulation process; and estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean. Each term has distinct meanings and applications within geography and environmental science.