Wind
Average winds at an estuary range from 10knots to 20knots but there can easily be Wind gusts up to 40 percent stronger than this. The estuary protects the shores from erosion by the wind and provides shelter.
Light
In very turbid Estuaries light levels are low, if the light levels reach a critical level primary production rises in relation to the import of organic carbon. Light is critical to the survival of plants for them to photosynthesise and for animals too.
Precipitation
The average prectipitation for the dry season of the Mississippi River estuary is 7.74 centimeters, and for the wet season the average precipitation is 15.68 centimeters. But for the Thames estuary,the average precipitation for the dry season is 3.7 centimeters, and for the wet season the average prectipitation is 6.7 centimetres. The amount of precipitation in the tropical estuaries is 125 to 660 centimetres yearly. Precipitation supplies freshwater to estuaries, which is an important source of dissolved oxygen and nutrients along with the rivers, creeks and streams. the amount of precipitation varies dependant on which estuary you focus on.
Humidity
Estuaries have to main seasons the wet and humid season and the dry and cool season there is humidity in the wet and humid season and the average temperature is 32 degrees celsius. This is important because the humidity changes the salinity and makes the water more fresh.
Air Temperature
during the wet and humid season, the average temperature is about 32 degrees Celsius. during the drier, cooler season, it is about 23 degrees Celsius. The temperature is vital for the survival of plants and animals if it is to hot or cold some species will not survive.
Water
Nutrients
the water contains nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus which plants need to survive.
PH
according to the ANZECC guidelines between 7 and 9 is and acceptable ph for an estuary, the PH of an estuary's water is 8.5. this is important for the species that live there.
Salinity
In the fresh water the salinity concentration is nearly zero. The salinity of water in the ocean averages about 35 parts per thousand (ppt). The mixture of seawater and fresh water in estuaries is called brackish water and its salinity can range from 0.5 to 35 ppt.
Temperature
the dissolved oxygen in the water is critical for the survival of animals fresh water at 0°C can contain up to 14.6 mg of oxygen per liter of water, but at 20°C, it can only hold 9.2 mg of oxygen per liter.
Soil
Moisture
Mangrove soils are regularly water-logged and contain lots of salt. The top soil layer found in an estuary or salt marsh is composed mostly of peat or salt crust. clay, yellow earth and alluvial soils are also found at estuaries.
PH
The existing sulfur oxides produce a yellow appearance. These soil types are extremely acidic in pH. Sometimes the soil can become too acidic, due to water table depth and water salinity, which can cause problems for plant life in the area.
Composition
The soil contains a lot of salts and can be very acidic which makes plant life struggle to live there.
Temperature
The temperature of the soil at estuaries averages about 11.5 degrees celsius to 12.5 degrees celsius.
Average winds at an estuary range from 10knots to 20knots but there can easily be Wind gusts up to 40 percent stronger than this. The estuary protects the shores from erosion by the wind and provides shelter.
Light
In very turbid Estuaries light levels are low, if the light levels reach a critical level primary production rises in relation to the import of organic carbon. Light is critical to the survival of plants for them to photosynthesise and for animals too.
Precipitation
The average prectipitation for the dry season of the Mississippi River estuary is 7.74 centimeters, and for the wet season the average precipitation is 15.68 centimeters. But for the Thames estuary,the average precipitation for the dry season is 3.7 centimeters, and for the wet season the average prectipitation is 6.7 centimetres. The amount of precipitation in the tropical estuaries is 125 to 660 centimetres yearly. Precipitation supplies freshwater to estuaries, which is an important source of dissolved oxygen and nutrients along with the rivers, creeks and streams. the amount of precipitation varies dependant on which estuary you focus on.
Humidity
Estuaries have to main seasons the wet and humid season and the dry and cool season there is humidity in the wet and humid season and the average temperature is 32 degrees celsius. This is important because the humidity changes the salinity and makes the water more fresh.
Air Temperature
during the wet and humid season, the average temperature is about 32 degrees Celsius. during the drier, cooler season, it is about 23 degrees Celsius. The temperature is vital for the survival of plants and animals if it is to hot or cold some species will not survive.
Water
Nutrients
the water contains nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus which plants need to survive.
PH
according to the ANZECC guidelines between 7 and 9 is and acceptable ph for an estuary, the PH of an estuary's water is 8.5. this is important for the species that live there.
Salinity
In the fresh water the salinity concentration is nearly zero. The salinity of water in the ocean averages about 35 parts per thousand (ppt). The mixture of seawater and fresh water in estuaries is called brackish water and its salinity can range from 0.5 to 35 ppt.
Temperature
the dissolved oxygen in the water is critical for the survival of animals fresh water at 0°C can contain up to 14.6 mg of oxygen per liter of water, but at 20°C, it can only hold 9.2 mg of oxygen per liter.
Soil
Moisture
Mangrove soils are regularly water-logged and contain lots of salt. The top soil layer found in an estuary or salt marsh is composed mostly of peat or salt crust. clay, yellow earth and alluvial soils are also found at estuaries.
PH
The existing sulfur oxides produce a yellow appearance. These soil types are extremely acidic in pH. Sometimes the soil can become too acidic, due to water table depth and water salinity, which can cause problems for plant life in the area.
Composition
The soil contains a lot of salts and can be very acidic which makes plant life struggle to live there.
Temperature
The temperature of the soil at estuaries averages about 11.5 degrees celsius to 12.5 degrees celsius.