What are some of the functions of an estuary? Can you hypothesize ...

[acc299]

What are some of the functions of an estuary? Can you hypothesize why it is important to save for
  animals? What about for humans? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How do sediments move along a beach? What will be an ideal response?

[Animal_Goddess]

Answer to Question 1

ANS:Answer
should include:
 Estuaries are able to support an enormous amount of organisms. They are very rich in
nutrients and receive sunlight. The location of an estuary provides shelter from wave
shock.
 There is high biological activity and diversity in estuaries.
 They are a nursery ground for many organisms.
 Estuaries can scrub pollutants in the water. Bacteria in the sediment can also remove
inorganic nitrogen compounds.

Answer to Question 2

ANS:Answer
should include:
 The movement of sediments along the coast is called longshore drift. It is driven by
wave action, but it can also be current driven.
 Water hits beaches at an angle due to sediment accumulations. Although the water
comes up at an angle, gravity dictates that it runs straight when it returns downhill from
the shore. Sand grains disturbed by the wave will follow the water's path, moving
upward along the beach.
 This transport is longshore and runs parallel to the coast.
 Sediments are also driven by currents. They are transported in the surf zone in a
longshore current. Breaking waves distribute a portion of their energy away from the
direction of approach. This energy fuels a narrow current with suspended sediments in it.
 The net direction on both coasts of the United States is south due to the direction waves
normally approaching from the north.

[acc299]

Excellent

[dawsa925]

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