Climate of Estuaries
Because estuaries can be found all over the globe, here are a few examples from different parts of the earth to give you a sense of how what the climate of an estuary is and how it differs from place to place:
Chesapeake Bay Estuary:
Chesapeake Bay Estuary
The Chesapeake Bay Estuary is the largest estuary in the United States, having an area of about 4,479 square miles. It's located between Virginia and Maryland and the mouth of the estuary is on Virginia Beach, going into the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary's main source of freshwater is the Susquehanna River, contributing nearly 50% of the bay's freshwater supply. Other big rivers include the Potomac River and the James River. The average depth of the estuary is about 21 feet deep, but it can be as shallow as 5 feet and even as deep as 174 feet. The salinity of the estuary varies throughout the bay. In the sections where the mouth of fresh water rivers run into the estuary, the salinity can be as low as .5 ppt (parts per thousand), and in this region freshwater organisms can live. But near to the mouth of the bay, the salinity level can be as high as 36 ppt, which is as salty as the ocean! Since this estuary is located in a temperate zone, the average daily temperature of the water changes with the seasons. In the winter time, the average daily temperature of the water is about 5º Celsius, or about 41º Fahrenheit, and in the summer the average daily temperature is about 25.5º Celsius, or about 78º Fahrenheit.
San Francisco Bay Estuary:
San Francisco Bay Estuary
The San Francisco Bay estuary is located in San Francisco and the mouth of the estuary goes into the Pacific Ocean. The surface area is about 400-1600 square miles(depending on where you are). The average daily temperature of the water is seasonal, and ranges from about 8º Celsius, or 46º Fahrenheit, to about 23º Celsius, or 73º Fahrenheit, and the area becomes enveloped in fog at times.
Orange Estuary
Orange Estuary
The Orange Estuary is in Southern Africa is located on the Northern Cape border in Namibia, noth of Port Nolloth. It is one of the most important estuaries according to the top 19 estuaries identified Ramsar Convention’s list of Wetlands of International Importance. It is approximately over 2 square km in area. Organisms of the estuary include 60 species of sea and migratory birds and also species such as the desert rainfrog and the Namaqua rain frog. The salinity of the water has reached a point of toxicity due to human activities that include mining and damming.