dissolved load The part of a river's total load that is carried in solution. Five ions normally constitute approximately 90% of the dissolved load: chloride (Cl⁻), sulphate (SO₄⁻²), dissolved bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), sodium (Na⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺). Generally the load is at its maximum concentration during low-discharge conditions when groundwater is the main source of flow.

dissolved load The part of a river's total load that is carried in solution. Five ions normally constitute approximately 90 per cent of the dissolved load: chloride (Cl⁻), sulphate (SO²⁻₄), dissolved bicarbonate (HCO⁻₃), sodium (Na⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺). Generally the load is at its maximum concentration during low-discharge conditions when groundwater is the main source of flow.