coastlines of the gulf of mexico louisiana, alabama, mississippi
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Coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico
Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi
Shoreline Characteristics
State
Louisiana
Mississippi
Alabama
Tidal Shoreline(mi)
7721
359
607
Island Morphology
Barrier Island Chain-created after last glacial
epoch (15,000yr ago)-decrease in sea level-increase in fluvial and
marine sedimentation-microtidal (0-2m)-extensive tidal marsh
habitat
Coastal Features and Waterways
Louisiana
Rivers-Atchafalaya, Mississippi, Pearl
Alabama
Rivers-Alabama, Tom Brigbee,
Mississippi
Rivers-Pearl
Recent Developments
• Dramatic increases in nutrient loads
-eutrophication
-decreases in primary productivity
-Wetland habitat in rapid decline
-decrease in water quality
-losses to commercial fishing
Governmental Response
• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
-assessment of pollutants in major rivers
-management plan to improve water quality
Estuarine Reserve Program
-modeling of individual systems
-protection from development
References
http://marine.usgs.gov
http://mfengine.nos.noaa.gov
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/sseop/clickmap.html
http://infoplease.lycos.com
http://www.epa.gov/owow/ estuaries
http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/ states
http://www.rodnreel.com/tides
Maps-US Atlantic and Gulf Coast (NOAA)
Publications-
EPA, The Ecological Condition of Estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico
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