Brackish water

Brackish water is a type of water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It typically occurs when fresh water and seawater mix, such as in estuaries, mangrove forests, and in some aquifers where seawater has infiltrated.

Characteristics

Brackish water has a salinity level of 0.5 to 30 grams of salt per litre. The exact concentration can vary, depending on the source of the water and the amount of seawater and fresh water that are mixing. Brackish water can have a distinctive taste due to the presence of sodium chloride, or table salt, and other minerals.

Ecology

Brackish water environments are home to a variety of species that have adapted to the unique conditions. These include certain types of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and plants. Some species can only survive in brackish water, while others can tolerate a range of salinity levels.

Uses

Brackish water can be used for aquaculture, the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish and shellfish. It is also used in some types of irrigation for crops that can tolerate higher salinity levels. In some regions, brackish water is treated to remove the salt and other impurities to make it suitable for drinking and other uses.

See also

• Freshwater
• Seawater
• Salinity
• Estuary
• Mangrove