Brackish or briny water is saltier than fresh water, but not as much as sea water. The word brackish is discovered from a word “brak” that comes from the Middle Dutch. Before going through the detailed study about the brackish water, it is also important to know what are the causes that produce brackish water.
Causes That Produce Brackish Water
The formation of brackish fossil aquifers is caused by the mixing of seawater and freshwater in estuaries.There are many human activities that are the cause of production of brackish water such as drainage of different factories water, shoreline flooding, some engineering projects and prawn farming. Some gardening waste products also produce brackish water. In addition to being adverse to most terrestrial plant species, brackish water damages the environment if not properly managed.
Rivers With Estuaries:
There are many rivers worldwide that are famous for an estuary. Defining an estuary as the place where a freshwater river meets the ocean would be challenging. A brackish water is one that is slightly salted when freshwater and seawater combine.There are many rivers that contain brackish water. Some of the names are here, Chesapeake Bay, Hudson River,Delaware Bay along the Mid-Atlantic coast, and Galveston Bay and Tampa Bay along the Gulf Coast.
Brackish Water Effects of Environment:
Brackish water is undesirable and unpleasant to drink, and capable of creating health issues. This will turn into a difficulty while bitter water is purposefully developed, as is achieved in a couple of regions to cultivate fooding for fish. In numerous areas across the world, harsh water appears normally, and it organizes a basic living space for a couple of explicit creature species. Notwithstanding, it might cause natural harm, since far hazardous life forms have now at this point not customized to it.
Plants and Animals That Adapt Brackish Water
The unique composition of brackish water may pose some environmental problems, but there are a number of plants and animals that can adapt to and even thrive in the waters.
Anubias Plant:
An anubias plant is one of the plants that do not need a proper place to grow. You can see them rapidly growing on river banks and riverbeds as well. This plant can easily adapt to brackish water and can survive in it. Even both flora and fauna are the plants that can grow with the help of brackish water. Anubias plant is ideal for the people who take interest in accuriams as well.
Species That Live in Brackish Water:
Redfish and striped bass are the fishes that can live in both brackish water and fresh water. Gars and scats are also known as the fishes that can survive in brackish water. Having brackish water as their habitat allows the fish to grow old and plump without worrying about picking on pickier predators.
There are some more species that live in brackish water like crab-eating frogs, Ancher fish, Dragon goby, Mudskippers and American alligators.
Brackish Water Explanation:
Salt levels in brackish water range from 0.5 g/l to 30 g/l, which is better expressed as 0.5 – 30 ppt (*), which equates to a specific gravity between 1.05 and 1.010. This means that brackish water covers a range of salinities and is not particularly defined. Salinity can vary considerably over time and space in brackish surface waters, which is typical of many brackish surface waters.
Brackish Water Aquarium:
A brackish water aquarium is a mixture of fresh and salty water. People who like to have fishes in their living room can make a brackish water aquarium. You would only need to add some salt in fresh water and heat it up for some time. Leave the mixture to rest for 20 minutes then stir it. You can use a hydrometer to maintain the gravity level of water.
Brackish Water for Other Plants and Species:
Like humans, some of the species like cows, sheeps and horses cannot drink brackish water as it is unhealthy for them. Even not all the fishes can survive in brackish water. You cannot even cultivate in brackish water. Not all the plants can adapt brackish water for growth. Due to its salty nature, salty soil can become completely arid and can no longer support cultivation.
Conclusion:
I would like to sum up this discussion by saying that brackish water is good for some of the plants and species. Still there are many animals and plants that are unable to live and survive in brackish water. It is quite harmful for drinking.
Recommended to read: Inline Water Filter
FAQs
Q. Is brackish water good for health?
No, it’s not good for your health and you cannot drink it.
Q. Is brackish water good for fishes?
Yes, but not for every fish.
Q. Can we grow plants with brackish water?
We only can grow anubias, flora and fauna.
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