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What best describes the change in salinity in an estuary at low tide?
Salinity falls as the out flowing tide brings in more fresh river water.
How does the change in salinity in an estuary at high tide as water enters the area?
At high tide, as seawater enters an estuary, the salinity typically increases due to the influx of saltwater. This process can lead to a stratification of water layers, where the denser, saltier water sinks below the lighter, freshwater layer. The change in salinity can influence the local ecosystem, affecting the distribution and behavior of aquatic organisms that are adapted to specific salinity levels. Additionally, this fluctuation can impact nutrient cycling and overall water quality in the estuary.
What best describes the change in salinity in an estuary at low tide (as water leaves the area)?
At low tide, as water leaves the estuary, salinity typically increases. This occurs because the volume of freshwater from rivers decreases, reducing the dilution effect of freshwater on the seawater. Consequently, the concentration of salt in the remaining water becomes higher, leading to elevated salinity levels. Additionally, evaporation may also contribute to this increase in salinity.
What best describes the change in salinity in an estuary at high tide (as water enters the area)?
At high tide, salinity in an estuary typically decreases as freshwater from rivers and streams flows into the area, diluting the saltwater from the ocean. This influx of freshwater can create a stratification effect, where less dense freshwater overlays the denser saltwater. Consequently, the overall salinity levels within the estuary are lower during high tide compared to low tide when more saltwater is dominant.
Would salinity increase or decrease in an estuary during spring floods?
Salinity would decrease in an estuary during spring floods due to the influx of freshwater from increased runoff and precipitation. The dilution effect of the additional freshwater entering the estuary would lower the overall salinity levels.
What is the average salinity in an estuary?
Questioning 'what is the average salinity in an estuary?' is the wrong question! An estuary is formed where a river meets the sea, the sea would be typically around 35,000 mg/L (total dissolved salts) and the river may be very fresh, say 100 mg/L or possibly brackish if it has picked up salt along the way. That may depend on the river flow rate and salt accessions within the river basin. The salinity of the estuary will range from sea salinity to fresh along the length of the estuary depending upon tidal interchange and river flow rates. A more important question, particularly for the ecology, is what is the transient range at any point and how might this vary depending upon seasons and drought cycles. This will affect the range of ecologic systems (flora and fauna) that can thrive or survive. Some systems need only fresh water others need only salt water, however the estuary offers the opportunity for fish and other species which enjoy different salinity at different parts of their life cycle.
What causes the amount of salt in the water of an esturay to change?
The amount of salt in the water of an estuary can change due to various factors. One major factor is the mixing of freshwater from rivers with saltwater from the ocean, which can dilute or increase the salt concentration. Seasonal variations in rainfall and temperature can also affect the amount of salt in the water. Additionally, human activities such as agriculture, industry, and pollution can introduce or remove salt from the estuary, causing changes in its salinity.
How do you protect an estuary?
Clean up pollution, insure that the salinity is not disrupted unnaturally, and prohibit overfishing.
What man-made or natural event can decrease the salinity of the estuary area?
Global warming,desalination... :)
What are the physical factors of an estuary?
Physical factors of an estuary include salinity levels, temperature variations, turbidity (clarity of water), tidal currents, and substrate composition (the type of material on the estuary floor). These factors greatly influence the ecosystem and species that inhabit the estuary.
How would salinity change if some ocean water evaporated?
Salinity is increased.
How salty are estuaries?
Salinity varies within the estuary and depend on other factors such as tides. Estuaries are essentially where freshwater from rivers, streams, etc, meet with saltwater from the ocean. The range of salinity within an estuary is typically between 0-25ppt, and that is between where the mouth of the river ends on to where the ocean begins. PPT stand for parts per thousand, just in case you did not know.
