The Pamlico Sound
North Carolina's Largest Estuary
What?
The Pamlico Sound is the Old North State's largest estuary. It is separated from the ocean by barrier islands The rivers that flow into the estuary are the Neuse River, Trent River, Tar River and Pamlico Rivers. An estuary is where oceans and rivers meet and form a salt water fresh water mixture known as brackish water.
Why is the Pamlico Sound Important?
In addition to being the largest estuary in North Carolina, the Pamlico Sound is the second largest estuary in the United States. The Pamlico Sound also supports many wildlife habitats including creeks, rivers and wetlands! It holds some of the largest amounts of shellfish and is a huge supplier to many businesses. It is also home to 75 species of marine life's nursuries. It is involved with commercial fishing, tourism and recreational activities.
Wildlife and Geography in the Pamlico Sound
Striped Bass
The Pamlico Sound is well known for the large striped bass that inhabit the area. Fishing is a popular activity in North Carolina especially in the Pamlico! In addition to the amazing bass found here; crabs, pink shrimp, logger sea head turtles and bald eagles are found in Pamlico!
Shark Attack!
Not really though! North Carolina is a leading state in marine biology research! Recently, they Ocearch Shark Tracking and located a female shark (2,300 pounds) in the Pamlico Sound!
A Map of Pamlico
Hear is a visual representation of the Pamlico Sound. As you can see, it is separated by thin barrier islands!
Goodbye Pamlico!
The Pamlico Sound is facing many threats including habitat loss, overfishing and toxic or sewer waste pollution. More and more people are coming and working in the Pamlico Sound and many wildlife habitats and nests are destroyed. This is causing significant population decrease and stress to the animals. We have a responsibility to be ecofriendly citizens and to respect the animals' environment.
Earth and Environmental Science
Sources
"Pamlico Sound." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
"Albemarle-Pamlico Sound." Albemarle-Pamlico Sound. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
"2,300-pound Great White Shark Tracked in Pamlico Sound."Charlotteobserver. Charlotte Observer, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
"The Pamlico Sound." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
"Estuaries in North Carolina: A Primer." Estuaries in North Carolina: A Primer. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
"So What's Wrong with the Sounds Anyway?" So What's Wrong with the Sounds Anyway? N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.