What is the difference between a fjord and an estuary

As the number of industrial processes, pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizer increases, it is inevitable that large amounts of these chemicals will end up in estuaries. These land-based pollutants such as sewage and fertilizers can contribute to organic loading can lead to depletion of oxygen levels in estuary waters.

This can lead to death of fish and shellfish Kennish In addition to oxygen depletion, through the process of bioaccumulation, pollutants can build up in the tissues of living organisms.

Heavy metals that enter the estuaries and enter the bodies of living organisms can hinder embryonic development and impede the function of numerous biological systems within the animal. Over time, this may cause irreversible changes to the ecosystem Monserrat Kennish, Michael J.

JSTOR , www. References EPA. McNally, W. ONA Retrieved from www. SlideShare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. See our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement for details.

Difference between gulf, bay, strait, estuary and fjord. The SlideShare family just got bigger. Home Explore Login Signup. Successfully reported this slideshow. We use your LinkedIn profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. You can change your ad preferences anytime. Upcoming SlideShare. Like this document? Why not share! Embed Size px. Start on. Show related SlideShares at end. WordPress Shortcode. The area between the coast and the barrier beaches or islands are protected areas of calm water called lagoons.

Barrier beaches or islands break the impact of destructive ocean waves before they can reach the estuary and mainland, consequently protecting them.

The barrier beaches take the brunt of the waves' force and are sometimes completely washed away, leaving the estuary and coast exposed and vulnerable. During heavy rains, large volumes of water flowing down the river or stream can also completely wash away small bars and reopen the mouth of the estuary.

The coast of North Carolina consists of a series of bar-built estuaries. These drastic changes typically occur along fault lines during earthquakes.

If the depression sinks below sea level, ocean water may rush in and fill it. The same geological forces that create these depressions often form a series of natural channels that drain fresh water from nearby rivers and streams into these newly formed basins. The mixture of seawater and fresh water creates a tectonic estuary.

The San Francisco Bay in California is an example of a tectonic estuary. Fjords pronounced fee-YORDS are typically long, narrow valleys with steep sides that are created by advancing glaciers. The glaciers leave deep channels carved into the Earth with a shallow, narrow sill near the ocean.

When the glaciers retreat, seawater floods the deeply incised valleys, creating estuaries.