Lagoon:
- Formation: Lagoons are formed when a sandbar or barrier island separates a part of the ocean from the main body of water. This natural barrier can be formed by the deposition of sediment from rivers or longshore currents.
- Location: Lagoons are typically located along the coastline and are often found near the mouths of rivers or in shallow coastal areas.
- Characteristics: Lagoons are usually shallow bodies of water with calm waters and limited wave action due to the protection provided by the barrier. The salinity levels in lagoons can vary depending on the amount of freshwater input from rivers and streams, as well as the exchange of water with the ocean during high tides.
Estuary:
- Formation: Estuaries are formed where a river meets the ocean. They are typically located at the downstream end of a river where it widens and mixes with saltwater from the ocean.
- Location: Estuaries are found where rivers meet the ocean, often in coastal plains or deltas.
- Characteristics: Estuaries are dynamic environments characterized by the mixing of freshwater from the river and saltwater from the ocean, creating a brackish or slightly salty environment. The salinity gradient in estuaries varies depending on the river flow, tidal influence, and distance from the ocean. Estuaries are often rich in nutrients and support diverse ecosystems due to the mixing of nutrients from both freshwater and marine environments.
In summary, lagoons are shallow bodies of water separated from the ocean by a barrier, while estuaries are formed where rivers meet the ocean and are characterized by a salinity gradient and a diverse mix of freshwater and marine ecosystems.
