A place for subterranean estuaries in the coastal zone

• Willard S. Moore coined the term subterranean estuary (STE) as that part of the coastal aquifer 'where groundwater derived from land drainage measurably dilutes seawater that has invaded the aquifer through a free connection to the sea' more than two decades ago (Moore, 1999). In doing so, Moore was calling attention to the potential importance of this zone, long studied by terrestrial hydrologists, to marine systems. Since then, we have accumulated indisputable evidence of the importance of STEs and their associated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in coastal ecosystem function. Yet, subterranean estuaries are often not considered distinct systems in the land-ocean continuum either from an academic viewpoint or for developing integrative monitoring and management. This invisibility means that the impact of STEs on ecosystem state has been neglected when environmental assessments that aim to meet coastal water quality and ecosystem health targets are performed. It is possible that our current broad definition of STEs, as well as misuse and misunderstanding of terminology, partly explain their de-facto transparency to the wider coastal scientific community. Here, we argue for the inclusion of STEs as important, interconnected systems driving water quality, ecology, and biogeochemical cycles in nearby coastal ecosystems. To achieve broader recognition, we first need to address the perceived compartmentalization of surface and groundwater systems, as well as overcome a pigeon-holed approach to research often confined within narrow disciplinary boundaries. The establishment of open-water estuarine science over the last several decades shows that such obstacles are surmountable. A lack of awareness and recognition of STE functions impedes a holistic understanding of coastal ecosystems and slows down the development of cause-effect relationships for a science-based approach to ecosystem management.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Oceanografi, hydrologi och vattenresurser (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Oceanography, Hydrology and Water Resources (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Marine & Freshwater Biology

Oceanography

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