CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ESTUARY

Three main characteristics of San Miguel

Bay
1. High sediment
output resulting in
soft, muddy
substrates.

Beach on San
Miguel Island
2. High nutrient
inputs resulting in
high primary,
secondary, and
tertiary
productivity. The
watershed of San
Miguel Bay
measures 3,320
sq. km.
3. Highly variable
salinity gradients
resulting in floral
and faunal
assemblages
which are tolerant
of wide fluctuations
in salinity.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF
AN ESTUARY
Estuarine Circulation
In Alabama, 85 species of fish are
considered to be marine or estuarine
• Estuaries and coastal waters provide
essential habitat for over 75% of the
commercial fish catch and 80-90% of
the recreational catch of fish.

• Estuaries are among the most

productive natural systems on Earth
due to the mixing of nutrients from land
and sea.
Estuaries are becoming
more and more polluted.
Now there is a project
going on trying to save
our estuaries to keep
them cleaner and
healthier.