Week 1: Estuary in Cagnes-sur-Mer
The most interesting thing I learned this week is how estuaries are formed and the variance between different types of estuaries. Visiting the estuary in Cagnes-sur-Mer we were able to see that an estuary still technically exists despite the small size of the flowing fresh water. The reservoir is man made so the water does not naturally flow from the ocean into the small river. With that being the case the location of the salt wedge which is where the salt and fresh water meet was moved much closer to the shoreline of the sea. We went and explored near the waves and tested the water along the way. To our surprise the water was fresh all along the river right up until the waves met the rocks. This was surprising because we were testing water that was creating waves and it did not seem salty. Not until we went further along to the rocky pier did we find salt water.