Estuary Salinity Gradient Diagram - Freshwater to Ocean Transition #97750 (License: Personal Use)

The image depicts a cross-sectional view of a typical estuary where freshwater from a river mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating distinct salinity zones: freshwater (0 ppt), intermediate, brackish, and salt (>15 ppt). Vegetation such as salt-tolerant marsh grasses is shown thriving in the brackish zone, highlighting ecological adaptation. The gradient arrow emphasizes the continuous change in salinity along the estuary’s length.

Used in educational science pages, environmental biology resources, or coastal management guides to explain estuarine hydrology and ecology; matches user intent for understanding how salinity gradients shape habitat distribution.