coastal lagoon
Barrier-enclosed tidal pool
A coastal lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from the ocean by a barrier such as a sandbar, reef, or barrier island, but connected to it through inlets or tidal channels.
Unlike inland lakes, coastal lagoons contain brackish or salt water and are shaped by tides, waves, and sediment.
They serve as nurseries for marine life and often support fishing communities: The coastal lagoon teemed with juvenile shrimp.
- seagrassSaltwater flowering plant
- shallow waterLow-depth aquatic area
- barrier islandSandy strip guarding shoreline
- mudflatExposed shore sediment
- mangroveTidal shrub with exposed roots
sandbar · tidal flow · laguna · spit · brackish water · aquaculture · sedimentation · inlet · low tide · tidal flat · wetland · coastal ecosystem · salt marsh · reed bed · delta · wading bird · bird sanctuary · silty
coastal lagoonopen ocean
Sea far from shore
high seas · offshore waters · open water · open sea · deep sea
coastal lagooninland lake
Lake surrounded by land
mountain lake · alpine lake · endorheic basin · inland sea · desert oasis