Answer:
The habitats associated with estuaries (salt marshes and mangrove forests) consist of marsh grasses, and a spongy matrix of live roots, decomposing organic material, and soil called peat. When water flows through the estuaries, these marsh grasses and peat act like enormous filters and filters out the pollutants from the water.
Explanation:
Estuaries are coastal water bodies usually found in the region where rivers or lakes meet the sea. The water in the estuaries is a mixture of salty seawater and freshwater draining from the land (brackish water). They are partially enclosed and are occupied by the plant and animal communities which are adapted to brackish water. The water that is filtered through estuaries brings in nutrients from the surrounding land area. So they are very fertile and considered as one of the most productive ecosystems.
The habitats associated with estuaries (salt marshes and mangrove forests) contain marsh grasses, and a spongy matrix of live roots, decomposing organic material, and soil called peat. When water flows through the estuaries, the marsh grasses and peat act like enormous filters and filters out the pollutants (herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals), excess sediments and nutrients from the water. Thus, estuaries act as a filter to remove toxins from the environment. They also help to reduce flooding, protect shorelines from erosion and maintain the water quality.
