Abstract
The Proceedings of the ECSA 21 symposium on Marine and Estuarine Gradients are reviewed. It is emphasised that this is probably the first time that a full set of papers on the tidal freshwater sections of estuaries has appeared. There is however some ambiguity in the terminology applied to such waters, and a more consistent terminology is proposed. In particular the estuary is defined as reaching upstream as far as the tidal limit, irrespective of salinity.
A wide variety of gradients within estuaries and coastal waters are considered, but it is apparent that the crucial spatial gradients are based on salinity, oxygen and turbidity, and that many other gradients are co-variables with these parameters. Temperature is also important for temporal gradients.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
CARRIKER, M.R., 1967. Ecology of estuarine benthic invertebrates: a perspective. in: G.H. Lauff, Ed., Estuaries. Am. Ass. Adv. of Sci. publ. 83, p. 442–487.
DAVIDSON, N.C.et al., 1991. Nature conservation and estuaries in Great Britain. Nat. Conserv. Counc., Peterborough, 422 pp.
DEATON, L.E. and M.J. GREENBERG, 1986. There is no horohalinicum. Estuaries, 9: 20–30.
ELLIOTT, M. and J.P. DUCROTOY, Eds., 1991. Estuaries and Coasts: Spatial and Temporal Intercomparisons. Olson & Olson, Fredensborg.
FAIRBRIDGE, R.W., 1980. The estuary; its definition and geochemical role. In: E. Olausson & I. Cato, Eds., Chemistry and biogeochemistry of estuaries. Wiley, New York, p. 1–35.
McCAVE, I.N., 1979. Suspended sediment. In: K.R. Dyer, Ed., Estuarine hydrography and sedimentation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 131–185.
McLUSKY, D.S., 1989. The estuarine ecosystem. Blackie, Glasgow, 215 pp.
MANTOURA, R.F.C., 1987. Organic films at the halocline. Nature, 328: 579–580.
MORRIS, A.W.et. al., 1978. Very low salinity regions of estuaries: important sites for chemical and biological reactions. Nature: 274: 678–680.
PRITCHARD, D.W., 1967. What is an estuary; a physical viewpoint. In: G.H. Lauff, Ed., Estuaries, Am. Ass. Adv. Sci., publ. 83, p. 3–5.
REMANE, A. 1934. Die Brackwasserfauna. Verh. Deutsch. Ges., 36: 34–74.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McLusky, D.S. Marine and estuarine gradients — An overview. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 27, 489–493 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334809
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334809