Wolanski, Eric, Andutta, Fernando, and Delhez, Eric (2012) Estuarine hydrology. In: Bengtsson, Lars, Herschy, Reginald W., and Fairbridge, Rhodes W., (eds.) Encyclopedia of Lakes and Reservoirs. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series . Springer-Verlag, pp. 238-249.

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Abstract

[Extract] The word estuary is of sixteenth century origin and originated from the Latin aestuarium, which means marsh or channel, and this is derived from the Latin aestus, meaning tide or billowing movement. Estuaries are transitioning environments between the land and the ocean, where fresh water coming from the rivers mixes with saline oceanic water. This river inflow need not be perennial. There are several definitions of estuaries. For freshwater scientists the main thing is to define the head of an estuary; in one definition, this is the salinity limit; in another definition, this is the tidal limit; and in still another definition, it is the source of the fluvial sediment. For coastal scientists and oceanographers, the mouth of an estuary, i.e., the point where an estuary ends, is also ill-defined. It can be a geographic feature or the seaward edge of a tidal plume in the open ocean.

Item ID:	24068
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Reference)
ISBN:	978-1-4020-4410-6
ISSN:	1388-4360
Keywords:	carbon cycle in lakes; coastal lagoons; hydrodynamics and circulation of fjords; mixing in lakes; stratification in lakes
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date Deposited:	02 Jan 2013 23:33
FoR Codes:	04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0405 Oceanography > 040503 Physical Oceanography @ 33% 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0405 Oceanography > 040501 Biological Oceanography @ 34% 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0405 Oceanography > 040599 Oceanography not elsewhere classified @ 33%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960503 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 34% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9611 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water > 961199 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water not elsewhere classified @ 33% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9611 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water > 961102 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water in Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 33%
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