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WORKGROUP III SYNOPSIS: CONTAMINANT FATE AND EFFECTS IN COASTAL AND ESTUARINE WETLANDS
Citation:
Boesch, D. F., M A. Lewis, W. H. Mckee, D. Morrison, P. F. Roscigno, G. I. Scott, AND J K. Summers. WORKGROUP III SYNOPSIS: CONTAMINANT FATE AND EFFECTS IN COASTAL AND ESTUARINE WETLANDS. SETAC Pellston Workshop on Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment for Wetlands, Fairmont Hot Springs, Anaconda, Montana, 30 July - 3 August 1995.
Description:
Wetlands of the ocean coasts and estuaries are characterized by the influence of frequent water-level fluctuations as effected by astronomic tides as well as by meterologically forced changes in the level of coastal waters. Some coastal wetlands experience extremely wide water-level fluctuations (several meters) predictably twice a day, while others experience only micro tides, and wind events may be the dominant control of water level. Coastal and estuarine wetlands also contain variable concentrations of dissolved salts from the ocean. Tidal flooding and salinity result in profound differences in the structure and function of coastal and estuarine wetlands in comparison to inland, freshwater wetlands. In addition to tidal wetlands, this chapter addresses those wetlands in the upper reaches of estuaries that are influenced by the tides but do not experience measurable salinity (i.e., tidal freshwater wetlands). Here we consider coastal and estuarine wetlands inhabited by emergent, vascular plants, including salt and brackish marshes and mangrove swamps.