tidal flat

tidal flat
tideland that is flat or nearly flat and often muddy or marshy.

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Level muddy surface bordering an estuary, alternately submerged and exposed to the air by changing tidal levels.

In addition to the alternating submergence and exposure, the varying influences of fresh river water and salty marine waters cause physical conditions to vary more widely than in any other marine environment. The mud of a tidal flat is usually rich in dissolved nutrients, plankton, and organic debris, and it supports large numbers of small animals such as crabs and worms. Vegetation is generally sparse, but mats of blue or blue-green algae (see cyanobacteria) may be present.

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      level muddy surface bordering an estuary, alternately submerged and exposed to the air by changing tidal levels. The tidal waters enter and leave a tidal flat through fairly straight major channels, with minor channels serving as tributaries as well as distributaries. The minor channels meander and migrate considerably over periods of several years.

      In addition to the alternating submergence and exposure, the varying influences of fresh river water and saline marine waters cause physical conditions, principally temperature, salinity, and acidity, to vary more widely than in any other marine environment. Waves are generally very small because of the shallow bottom and short fetch. The mud of a tidal flat is characteristically rich in dissolved nutrients, plankton, and organic debris, and it supports large numbers of smaller mobile and burrowing animals, notably crabs, pelecypods, gastropods, and worms. Vegetation is generally sparse; if wave erosion is minimal, however, felts and mats of blue or blue-green algae may be present.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tidal flat —    An extensive, nearly horizontal, barren or sparsely vegetated tract of land that is alternately covered and uncovered by the tide, and consists of unconsolidated sediment (mostly clays, silts and/or sands and organic materials).    Compare:… …   Glossary of landform and geologic terms

  • tidal flat — tid′al flat n. geo tideland that is flat and often marshy • Etymology: 1955–60 …   From formal English to slang

  • tidal flat — noun : essentially horizontal and commonly muddy or marshy land that is covered and uncovered by the rise and fall of tides * * * tideland that is flat or nearly flat and often muddy or marshy …   Useful english dictionary

  • tidal flat — a muddy area usually bordering an estuary, exposed by tides …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • tidal flat —   the surface exposed only at low tide …   Geography glossary

  • wind-tidal flat —    A broad, low lying, nearly level sand flat that is alternately inundated by ponded rainwater or by wind driven bay or estuarine water from storm surges or seiche. Frequent salinity fluctuations and prolonged periods of subaerial exposure… …   Glossary of landform and geologic terms

  • sandy tidal flat — a tidal area without vegetation, mostly sand but some mud …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • tidal marsh —    An extensive, nearly level marsh bordering a coast (as in a shallow lagoon, sheltered bay or estuary) and regularly inundated by high tides; formed mostly of unconsolidated sediments (e.g., clays, silts, and/or sands and organic materials),… …   Glossary of landform and geologic terms

  • tidal — tidally, adv. /tuyd l/, adj. 1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or subject to tides: a tidal current. 2. dependent on the state of the tide as to time of departure: a tidal steamer. [1800 10; TIDE1 + AL1] * * * (as used in expressions) tidal …   Universalium

  • tidal marsh — noun : wet land regularly inundated by the backing up of adjoining streams through tidal action compare tidal flat …   Useful english dictionary

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