Density-driven circulation in an estuary

This is a simple laboratory demonstration to show what happens to low-salinity (low density) estuary water when it enters the high-salinity (higher density) ocean. The low density estuarine water will float above the higher density seawater. This generates an average flow out of the estuary at the surface and an inflow of salty water near the bed, called “estuarine” or “density-driven” circulation.