Their photosynthesis adds DO to the water and their leaves and roots help buffer the shoreline against erosion. The plants also assimilate nitrogen and phosphorus, reducing the deleterious impact of excess nutrients. Bacteria Fecal coliform bacteria live solely in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Although the bacteria are not harmful to man, the presence of these organisms in water may indicate possible sewage contamination and the presence of pathogens. Characterizing the Estuarine Environment.
Several parameters describe the basic chemical and physical properties of an estuary.
These traits paint a picture of the estuary's fundamental nature. They form, in essence, the ABCs of estuarine water quality and set the stage for the environmental parameters in which we are most interested and which are the most acute indicators of habitat health. Several parameters describe the basic chemical and physical properties of an estuary. An estuary with little or no oxygen in its waters cannot support healthy levels of animal or plant life.