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