Pamlico Sound
Estuary Facts and Issues
About
First of all, what is an estuary? An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of water, having an open connection with the ocean where freshwater from inland is mixed with saltwater from the sea and are typically located on the coasts of main areas. Estuaries are important because they control erosion and reduce flooding of the mainland. The largest and main estuary of North Carolina is the Pamlico Sound. Plants on this estuary include seagrass, mangrove, sea rush, and jointed rush. The plants in this estuary attract a lot of animal species including shore and sea birds, crabs, lobsters, oysters, clams, loggerhead sea turtles, and more.
Sources:
Threats
There are many problems and threats towards estuaries. These problems include fishing, global warming, excess toxins, drainage of wetlands, dredging of channels that allow large boats in and harm oyster and plant beds, and human fecal matter. Of course, all of these can be controlled and prevented, which they are. There has been an act to stop wetland drainage and there are numerous organizations helping with this matter.