Estuaries
The Coorong at Pelican Point, South Australia
Photo John Baker
Estuaries connect rivers to the sea. In estuaries, the salt water from the open sea mixes with freshwater draining from the land, creating a unique and important ecosystem.
Estuaries are home to many plants and animals. Most estuaries are also the focus of many of our major cities, playing an important role in:
- recreation and tourism (boating, fishing, swimming)
- primary production (fisheries and aquaculture)
- commerce (transport, harbours)
- industry (cooling water, waste disposal)
Activities that take place throughout a river catchment affect the health of an estuary. Many estuaries are under pressure from the way catchment land is used. For example, pollution and nutrients can concentrate in estuaries, and modified water flows, caused by urban development, land clearing, irrigation, industry and dams, can reduce the ability of estuaries to flush these pollutants.
More information
- Coastal Acid Sulfate soils
- Framework for Marine and Estuarine Water Quality Protection
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Australia
- National Principles for the Provision of Water for Ecosystems
- National Water Quality Management Strategy
- OzEstuaries
- Reef Water Quality Protection Plan
- Water Quality Improvement Plans (Coastal Catchments Initiative)
See also
- Australian Water Resources 2005
- Coasts and oceans
- Lake Eyre Basin Agreement
- Living Murray Initiative
- Meteorological information for primary industry and natural resources management
- National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research
- National Framework for Improved Groundwater Management in Australia
- National Principles for the Provision of Water for Ecosystems
- Water for a Healthy Country Flagship
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window