WATER QUALITIES

IN ESTUARIES
ESTUARY
-It is formed along the coastline
where fresh water from rivers and
streams flows into the ocean.
-place of transition, where the
freshwater mixes with the salty
water.
 ESTUARY

Different types of habitats found in

an Estuary:
-shallow open waters, freshwater
and salt marshes, sandy beaches,
mud and sand flats, rocky shores,
oyster reefs, mangrove forests, river
deltas, tidal pools, sea grass and kelp
beds, and wooded swamps
CLASSIFICATION
COASTAL PLAIN
BAR BUILT
FJORD
TECTONIC
CHESAPEAKE BAY
BAR BUILT
ENCHANTED RIVER OF HINATUAN
SALINITY
WHY ESTUARIES ARE
IMPORTANT?
 ESTUARY

Animals that make their homes in

and around estuaries:
-shore birds, fish, crabs and
lobsters, marine mammals, clams
and other shellfish, marine worms,
sea birds, and reptiles
 ESTUARY

Other functions of Estuaries:

As the sediment and pollutant-
laden water flows from upland
through fresh and salt marshes,
much of the sediments and
pollutants are filtered out, creating
cleaner and clearer water. Wetland
and soils buffer the forces of the
ocean, absorbing floodwaters
ESTUARIES AND
THE ECONOMY
ESTUARIES AND
YOU
 ESTUARY

Under siege from excessive

nutrients, pathogen
contamination, toxic chemicals,
alteration of freshwater inflow,
loss of habitat, and the
introduction of invasive species,
our estuaries are in serious danger.
 ESTUARY

Pathogens pose a health threat

to swimmers, surfers, divers and
seafood customers. Fish and filter
feeding organisms, such as molluscs
and crabs, concentrate pathogens in
their tissues and may cause illness to
those consuming them.
 ESTUARY

Sources of Pathogens:
urban and agricultural runoff,
boat and marina waste, faulty or
leaky septic systems, sewage
treatment plant discharges,
combined sewer overflows, illegal
sewer connections, and wastes from
pets or wildlife.
 ESTUARY

Pathogen contamination
can result in the closure of
shell fishing areas and
bathing beaches.
 ESTUARY

Toxic chemicals, such as metals,

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB), heavy metals, and pesticides,
enter waterways through storm drains;
industrial discharges and runoff from
lawns, streets and farmlands; sewage
treatment plants; and from
atmospheric deposition.
 ESTUARY

1987 - amendments to the Clean

Water Act gave rise to the National
Estuary Program.
 ESTUARY
To protect the ecosystems, the
CHESAPEAKE BAY AGREEMENT
and the NATIONAL ESTUARY
PROGRAM (NEP) was created.
Chesapeake Bay - protected
under its own federally mandated
program, was the first estuary in the
United States to be targeted for
restoration and protection.
 ESTUARY

1983 - the governors of

Maryland, Virginia and
Pennsylvania, the mayor of the
District of Columbia, and the EPA
administrator signed the
CHESAPEAKE BAY AGREEMENT .
 ESTUARY

This Agreement set forth :

-plans to protect and improve
the water quality in the
Chesapeake Bay.
 ESTUARY
Goal of the Program :
To identify, restore and protect
nationally significant estuaries of
the United States, focusing not just
on improving water quality but on
maintaining the integrity of the
whole ecosystem, as well as its
economic, recreational, and
aesthetic values.