Author(s)

Y.R. Fares

Abstract

Water budget in coastal brackish lagoons Y. R. Fares Fluids Research Centre, School of Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, England Abstract The effect of water and salinity changes on water quality conditions in coastal brackish lagoons is reported. As a classic example of a habitat under threat, a micro-tidal lagoon in southern England, the Widewater Lagoon, is chosen as a case study. The effects of evaporation and rainfall rates on the monthly changes of both water and salinity budgets are quantified. Changes in water and salinity levels in the lagoon are linked directly to variations in water quality parameters. Recommendations for scope of future studies are proposed which emphasise the importance of developing reliable database and creating a vulnerability (risk) map to identify locations in the lagoon that are exposed to considerable environmental strain. Such measures are believed to be crucial for devising rigorous strategies for managing the environment of coastal lag

Keywords