Author(s)

M. Koch & H. Sun

Abstract

Apalachicola Bay is one of the most productive estuaries in Florida. Tidal forces influence water levels, current velocities and salinity mixing in the estuary. These parameters in return affect the aquatic habitats and their productivity. The tidal wave enters the bay in the east and exits it through several barrier island cuts in the west. Accordingly, the tidal amplitudes are higher in the eastern than in the western section of the estuary. The bay shows a mixed tidal type, mainly semi- diurnal in the eastern and central sections, but diurnal in the western part of the bay. The rotary tidal currents show complicated elliptical flow paths. F

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