Roanoke Sound
Where Is Roanoke Sound Located?
Roanoke Sound is located south of the Alblemarle Sound and north of the Pamlico Sound. To the west of Roanoke Sound is Roanoke Island. Roanoke Island is where they formed the first colony, which means that if you go to Roanoke Sound, you would be taking an educational trip.
Why Estuaries Are So Important
Estuaries are so important! They are important people and animals. Animals like fish, frogs, turtles snails, and lots of other animals. they are important to these water animals because it gives them a place to reproduce feed and live. Estuaries are important to land animals too! where does an animal go when they are thirsty? To a place that has water of course! Animals can drink and live in estuaries. Estuaries are important to people too! They provide us with places to hold recreational activities, scientific studies, and aesthetic enjoyment.
Rivers, Streams, Or Waterways That Feed Into Roanoke Sound
A stream that feeds into Roanoke Sound is Mush Island Gut. Other waterways that feed into Roanoke Sound are Little Quankey Creek and Trouble Creek.
The Threats To Roanoke Sound
The complex ecosystem of North Carolina estuaries is harmed by changes to the land bordering and surrounding the estuaries and by contamination of river and ocean water. Global warming is causing sea levels to rise. Rising sea levels threaten the swamp forests, which can withstand only temporary flooding. Hurricanes also cause high water levels, eroding the shoreline and flooding organisms adapted to freshwater with ocean water. Together, sea level rise and storms cause North Carolina wetlands to erode at a rate of about 800 acres per year. Toxic substances and fecal matter run off into rivers, mix with the sediments, and deposit in the estuaries. These substances can harm humans, animals and plants. Toxins include pesticides, herbicides, weed killer, paint, oil and gasoline from vehicles, and manufacturing byproducts such as mercury and dioxin. These toxins can accumulate in the estuarine sediment and cause a multitude of problems. Fecal matter from humans and animals also pollutes estuarine waters. Human waste runs into rivers, estuaries and the sea when septic and sewage systems are overloaded. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites that transmit diseases to humans are carried in human waste. In North Carolina, another major pollution concern is fecal matter from hog farms. In 1995, 25 million gallons of hog waste overflowed its barrier on the farm and spilled into the New River, killing huge numbers of fish.