Estuaries

Estuaries

1. fresh water from land enters the ocean through rivers, streams and groundwater flowing through valleys, these valleys that channel fresh water from land to the salty ocean, which range from extremely narrow stream cut channels to remarkably broad lagoons behind long barrier islands, are called estuaries.

   • estuary system which vary to reflect the geology of the coasts where they are found can be broadly categorized as one of two different types.
     • these lagoons support vigorous biological activity inasmuch as they are shallow, which causes them to heat up quickly, and they are fed by a constant inflow of nutrient rich sediments.
       • in the northern latitudes, coastal fjords were creatd as glaciers cut impressive u shaped valleys through mountains and now carry fresh water from the land to the.