Transitions in Water

Good, Lots of Facts Good facts, Well Presented The Keys To Unlocking Transitions in Water         When examining waters transition from fresh to salt as well as from salt to fresh one quickly finds the importance of estuaries. In terms of geology, present-day estuaries are young and ephemeral coastal features. Today's estuaries began to take their current form during the last interglacial period, when sea level rose about 120 m (Braun 36). However, the relatively high sea levels …

…of 2 to 10 parts per thousand (ppt), compared with the salinity of salt water, which is about 35 ppt. Where there is a large tidal range but little freshwater inflow mixing is more complete. In coastal lagoons, where there are large open waters, small tidal range, and low freshwater inputs, wind is usually a more important mixing agent than tides. It is truly evident the awesome role estauries play in the transition between salt and fresh water.