ABSTRACT
The Apalachicola estuary (Figure 12.1) approximates 62,879 ha, and is a shallow (mean depth: 2.6 m) lagoon-and-barrier-island complex. The Apalachicola River dominates the bay system as a source of freshwater, nutrients, and organic matter; together with local rainfall, the river is closely associated with the salinity and coastal productivity of the region (Livingston, 1975b, 1976a,b, 1977, 1980b, 1982b, 1983a,b, 1984b,c, 1985c, 1988c, 1990, 1991a,b, 1993c; Livingston and Joyce, 1977; Livingston and Duncan, 1979; Livingston et al., 1974, 1976b, 1978, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003). The Apalachicola drainage system remains in a relatively natural state with sparse human population, and little industrial and municipal development (Livingston, 1984b). Water movement in the estuary is controlled by wind currents and tides because of the generally shallow depths (Livingston et al., 1999).
