EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Despite these challenges, estuaries are also very productive ecosystems. They receive nutrients from both bodies of water and can support a variety of life. Because of their access to food, water, and shipping routes, people often live near estuaries and can impact the health of the ecosystem.

Detailed explanation-2: -Due to the mixing of a natural flowing watercourse, typically freshwater, and the saline content of water, estuaries are highly active as they are nutrient traps. The tidal mouth of this inland watercourse is an estuary.

Detailed explanation-3: -Estuaries are very productive ecosystems because they constantly receive fresh nutrients from the river and from the ocean.

Detailed explanation-4: -2. Why are estuaries so important? Estuaries are very biologically productive. The salinity gradient and the changes in tides, fresh water and accompanying flux in nutrients within estuaries create a variety of habitats that support a diverse food web.

Detailed explanation-5: -There are three major manmade or anthropogenic sources of nutrients: atmospheric deposition, surface water, and groundwater. Atmospheric sources include fossil fuel burning by power plants and automobiles. Nutrients from these sources may fall to the land or estuary either directly or along with precipitation.