The estuaries also catch pollutants that have been captured in the atmosphere inland and end up raining down at the coast. You cannot drink it because of the salt. The plants and animals that live here have had to adapt to the environment. Plants and animals have to adapt to changes in salt, tides, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. Check the field guide and reference lists to find out some of the plants and animals that live here.
Pelicans have a gland to remove excess salt from their bodies.
Saltmarsh cordgrass has a duct to do this also. Saltmarsh cordgrass also has channels to carry oxygen to its roots. There is little oxygen in the saltmarsh sediment. Mud snails have excellent chemoreception, allowing them to find a dead clam to eat or stay away from a mud snail predator in shallow water. When saltmarsh cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, dies back in the fall bacteria, protozoa, and fungi break down the stems.