CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ESTUARY

BY: JANET C. BESAGAS

San Miguel Bay exemplifies three

main characteristics of an estuary

Three main characteristics of San Miguel Bay

1. High sediment output resulting in soft, muddy substrates.

Beach on San Miguel Island

2. High nutrient inputs resulting in high primary, secondary, and tertiary productivity. The watershed of San Miguel Bay measures 3,320 sq. km.

Bicol river watershed

3. Highly variable salinity gradients resulting in floral and faunal assemblages which are tolerant of wide fluctuations in salinity.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ESTUARY

Estuarine Circulation

In Alabama, 85 species of fish are considered to be marine or estuarine

• Estuaries and coastal waters provide essential habitat for over 75% of the commercial fish catch and 80-90% of the recreational catch of fish.

• Estuaries are among the most productive natural systems on Earth due to the mixing of nutrients from land and sea.

Estuaries are becoming more and more polluted. Now there is a project going on trying to save our estuaries to keep them cleaner and healthier.