Oceans And Seas Questions
The main difference between a lagoon and an estuary lies in their formation and location. A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from the ocean by a barrier such as a sandbar, coral reef, or barrier island. It is typically found along coastlines and is often connected to the ocean through narrow channels or inlets. Lagoons are usually characterized by calm and brackish (a mix of saltwater and freshwater) conditions.
On the other hand, an estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of water where freshwater from rivers and streams meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean. Estuaries are typically found at the mouths of rivers and are influenced by tides. They are characterized by fluctuating salinity levels and are often home to diverse ecosystems due to the mixing of freshwater and saltwater.
In summary, the key difference between a lagoon and an estuary is that lagoons are separated from the ocean by barriers and have brackish conditions, while estuaries are formed by the mixing of freshwater and saltwater at river mouths and experience fluctuating salinity levels.