Coastal Salt Marshes

Salt marshes, which represent the final stage in the leveling of marine delta plains or the filling of depressions, embayments, and other irregularities along coasts, are to some extent a measure of coastal stability or equilibrium. The overall sedimentary sequence is therefore a potential record of coastal history; it may reveal complete successions from original estuary, delta, lagoon, or bay floors to the highest intertidal flat, including lateral variations in contemporaneous facies or subfacies. Associated mineral suites are equally important indicators of both sources and possible recycling of coastal sediments. As habitable dwelling space for numerous organisms, some of which are uniquely adapted to stressful conditions, salt marsh substrates record many details of significance in paleoecology, ichnology, and environmental reconstruction.

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