Ecology of the Pamlico River, North Carolina: an estuarine profile
The Pamlico River Estuary in eastern North Carolina is a continuation of the freshwater Tar River and a major tributary to Pamlico Sound, the primary estuarine fishing ground of the State. Water circulation in the estuary is dominated by wind and freshwater inflow. Water salinities range from oligohaline in the upper reaches of the river to mesohaline in most of the lower estuary. Summer water stratification and deoxygenation of bottom waters is a commonly occurring phenomenon. The Pamlico River Estuary is a phytoplankton-based system, supplemented by detrital inputs. Phytoplankton concentrations peak in the spring with a dinoflagellate bloom. Three distinct macrobenthic assemblages dominated by mollusks and annelids occur in shallow water along the salinity gradient. The estuary serves as an important nursery ground for the postlarvae and juveniles of a number of migratory fish species as well as shrimp and blue crabs. These organisms exhibit marked seasonality in their occurrence, governed by a combination of tributary inflows, water temperatures, and water circulation. The Pamlico River Estuary supports a productive fishery in both the river and the Pamlico Sound. Impacts of large-scale drainage activities and nutrient inputs on this fishery are among the issues facing managers of the estuary. 108 references, 69 figures, 26 tables.
- Research Organization:
- North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh (USA). Dept. of Zoology; East Carolina Univ., Greenville, NC (USA). Dept. of Geology
- OSTI ID:
- 5935461
- Report Number(s):
- FWS/OBS-82/06; ON: TI85900649
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). White shrimp. [Penaeus setiferus]
Seasonal and spatial distribution of epifauna in the Pamlico River estuary, North Carolina