What is the difference between estuary and delta

Rivers Narmada and Tapi form estuary. Delta are fertile lands. Suitable for Fishing activity Agriculture activities. The estuary can be understood as the coastal waterbody of one or more rivers that links to the sea or ocean. It is partially enclosed by land and contains brackish water, i. In short, it is an area where tides flow in and out, and the river becomes wider and slowly converges the sea. It meanders to meet the sea. It may also be called as bay, lagoon and slough.

Depending upon the location and climate, the size and shape of the estuary may differ. On the other hand, an estuary gets formed in a coastal area marked by high tides. Deltas are rich in sediments, and therefore they are beneficial for agriculture, whereas the coastal areas near estuaries tend to be suitable natural harbors.

Comparison between an estuary and Delta:. They form the wildlife habitats and even some men have also settled near to these estuaries. Favorable for agriculture due to rich sediments. However, they are susceptible to flood. I think it should be checked whether the differences are placed in correct places.

Last two points are confusing. Difference between Estuary and Delta. What is Estuary? Main Differences Between Delta and Estuary Deltas are practically wetlands that are normally formed when a fast-moving river empties its sediments before joining a slow-moving water body such as a sea or an ocean or a lake.

On the other hand, estuaries are semi-enclosed water bodies that constitute of salty water. It is normally an area where a river merges with a sea. Deltas are extremely fertile by nature that makes it suitable for agriculture and estuaries are not at all fertile and thus, not suitable for agriculture. Deltas are formed in regions that experience coastal plants and low tides, whereas, estuaries are formed in regions that experience rift valleys and high tides.

Examples of deltas include Krishna Delta and Brahmaputra Delta. Examples of estuaries include Thekkumbhagam estuary and Baga Creek. It is a low triangular-shaped fertile area consisting of alluvial deposits brought in by a river before meeting a large water body. It is just an area where the fresh water from a river meets the saltwater of seas and oceans.

Formed when rivers fail to carry along the sediments any further due to reduced current before meeting an ocean or a sea. It is formed by a tidal bore that gradually erodes the riverbed and also carries the fertile soil or silt to the sea. Shallow water depositional environments. Introduction When rivers reach standing water such as a lake or the ocean, the flow speed slows down dramatically. Deltas Distribution of Depositional Environments I will draw cross section and map views of a delta showing the delta plane, delta slopes, and prodelta.

Delta Type All deltas by definition have their sediment transported to the delta by rivers. Videos: River-dominated examples:. Estuaries Distribution of Depositional Environments Fluvial into marsh or tidal environments, with land on either side. Sediment Transport Processes Fluvial, settling from suspension, plus or minus tidal currents.