Vertical salinity structure: Estuary classification depends on salinity
difference between surface and bottom values.
Most estuary systems are coastal plain estuaries with individually unique salinity and flow characteristics. To understand the circulation of these estuaries, Pritchard (1955) and Cameron and Pritchard (1963) have classified estuaries using stratification and salinity distribution as the governing criteria (¬). The major classes are:
·
highly stratified·
partially mixed·
well mixed