adjective
- relating to or composed of detritus; formed from the breakdown and erosion of rocks and minerals
Usage: geology; technical
Examples
- Detrital sediments accumulate at the bottom of rivers and lakes.
- The detrital rocks in this region were formed from ancient mountain erosion.
- Geologists examined the detrital minerals to determine the source of the sediment.
- Detrital quartz grains are commonly found in sandstone deposits.
- The detrital material was transported downstream by the flowing water.