Abstract
In estuaries one finds three types of interface: air/water, freshwater/sea-water and water/solid. Physical, chemical and biological processes are relatively well understood at the air/water1,2 and solid/water interfaces3, which are common to other aquatic systems; processes and, in particular, organic structures at the freshwater/sea-water interface are less well known. Here we report measurements of surface-active organic material along the vertical profile of a stratified estuary that point to the existence of a well-defined film, and subsequent visual observations by divers which confirm this discovery. The film is formed at the freshwater/sea-water interface by accumulation and condensation of plankton-derived organic matter under the influence of salinity and shear gradients. It is composed of dissolved and insoluble, liquid, surface-active material. The film contributes to the stability of the fresh-water/sea-water interface, contains a potential food source for heterotrophic organisms and accumulates pollutants. Because we have found the film in an estuary with a low content of organic matter, we expect that it occurs in most salt-wedge estuaries of the world.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zutic, V., Legovic, T. A film of organic matter at the fresh-water/sea-water interface of an estuary. Nature 328, 612–614 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/328612a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/328612a0
This article is cited by
-
The possibilities of voltammetry in the study reactivity of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural waters
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry (2023)
-
Variability of Stable Isotope Fingerprints of the Serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus Within a Permanently Stratified Estuary: Implications for (Palaeo)environmental Interpretations
Estuaries and Coasts (2014)
-
Phytoplankton abundance and pigment biomarkers in the oligotrophic, eastern Adriatic estuary
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2008)
-
Phytoplankton Seasonality in a Highly Stratified Karstic Estuary (Krka, Adriatic Sea)
Hydrobiologia (2006)
-
Trace metal behaviour during summer in a stratified Mediterranean system: The Louros Estuary (Greece)
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution (1996)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.