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An Estuary Is...
What is an Estuary?
An estuary is the thin zone along a coastline (such as bays, lagoons, sounds or sloughs) where freshwater systems and rivers meet, and mix with a salty ocean, becoming brackish.
Sometimes, freshwater from rivers mixes with large freshwater bodies creating a "freshwater estuary" that functions like a typical brackish estuaries.
The five major types of estuaries are coastal plain, bar-built, delta system, tectonic, and fjords.
Estuaries are unique places that are valuable to the environment and to society.
Want to Learn More?
Estuaries Defined
Freshwater Estuaries
Estuary Classification
Estuaries are Unique and Important Places
Last Updated on: 06-24-2008
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