Pamlico Sound
Largest lagoon along the North American east coast.
Location
Pamlico Sound, shallow body of water along the eastern shore of North Carolina, U.S. The largest sound on the East Coast, it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by narrow barrier islands, of which Cape Hatteras is the south-easternmost point.
Importance of Estuaries
Estuaries are important natural places. They provide goods and services that are economically and ecologically indispensable. Often called nurseries of the sea, estuaries provide vital nesting and feeding habitats for many aquatic plants and animals.
Wildlife
- Blue Crab
- oysters
- clams
- "red drum" fish
- shellfish
Waterways that feed into the Pamlico Sound:
- Neuse River
- Pamlico River
- Oregon Inlet
Threats
The Pamlico sound is threatened by the pressures of a growing population in the watershed, too much nutrients that causes too much algae to grow and block vital sunlight needed for plants to photosynthesize, and non-point source pollution. This is when fertilizers and waste from animals is washed into the sound through runoff.