You must have heard about brackish water or maybe not. If you are an angler, you must have come across this term quite a few times. If you are new to fishing, then it’s high time that you learn something new and exciting. Brackish water is a mixture of freshwater and saltwater that has a salinity level between that of freshwater and seawater.
It is found in lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Most people know little to nothing about brackish water. It is important to know if the body of water in which you plan on fishing contains brackish water or not. Whether you want to fish for fun or as a profession, knowing this detail before venturing into the waters is necessary for your safety as well as the safety of others around you. Hence, how do we know if a body of water has brackish water or not?
What Does Brackish Water Look Like?
Brackish water has a muddy taste and a green or brown color. Freshwater, on the other hand, has a clear taste and color. If you have ever tasted any water from the sea, you must know that it does not taste anything like normal freshwater. Brackish water also has a higher salinity level than freshwater. Hence, if you put a freshwater fish in brackish water, it will probably die within a few minutes because it cannot tolerate the difference in salinity. This is why it is important to know whether the water in which you plan on fishing is brackish water or not. Brackish water can also be seen on the surface of the water. It looks almost like a sheen or glaze. So the next time you are fishing in or around a body of water, make sure you check its color and taste. Brackish water has a lot of minerals and nutrients that help in improving the soil and the growth of aquatic plants. Hence, it is seen that fishermen also use brackish water in ponds and lakes to help increase the growth of aquatic plants. It is perfect for plants and aquatic life like fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, who thrive in these environments.
How to Know Whether a Body of Water Contains Brackish Water or Not?
Knowing the salinity level of the water can help you determine whether it is. If the salinity of the water is below 1.005, then it is fresh water. Similarly, if the salinity of the water is above 35 ppt, then it is seawater. If you do not know what the salinity level is, there are a few things that you can do to determine whether the water is freshwater or brackish water. You can also taste the water to determine its salinity level. If it tastes salty, then it is seawater; if it tastes like fresh water, then it is brackish water. If you want to be more accurate, you can use a hydrometer to measure the salinity of the water. A hydrometer is a simple device that is used to determine the salinity of water by reading the specific gravity or the relative density of the water. It is usually found in shallow bodies of water. So if you are fishing in a shallow body of water, then it is more likely that it is brackish water. You can also check the water level and the depth of the water in the lake or the river.
Brackish Water vs. Freshwater
Brackish water is not the same as freshwater. As mentioned earlier, brackish water is a mixture of freshwater and saltwater that has a salinity level between that of freshwater and seawater. Brackish water consists of a certain amount of salt in it, but it is not fit for drinking because of the presence of too much salt. On the other hand, freshwater contains a very small amount of salt, but it is drinkable because it does not have a high level of salt in it. Brackish water can support a lot of aquatic life, but it is not a very good habitat for many marine creatures like fish and crabs. Freshwater, on the other hand, can only support a few aquatic plants and animals. Brackish water is found in estuaries and where two bodies of water meet. A river flowing into the ocean, an estuary where fresh water meets salt water, and two different watersheds that meet and where there is a gradation between fresh water and salt water are all examples of where it can be found.
How is the pH of Brackish Water Determined?
The pH of a body of water is the measurement of the level of alkalinity or acidity in the water. It is a logarithmic scale, ranging from 1 to 14 with 7 being neutral. Acidic water (below 7) has a low pH, while alkaline water (above 7) has a high pH. Brackish water has a pH that lies between that freshwater and salt water. Freshwater has a pH of 7, while saltwater has a pH of less than 7. It can range in pH levels between 6.5 and 8.5, with an average level of about 8. A pH level below 6.5 is not suitable for most fish species because it does not have the right level of alkalinity for most fish species. It has a higher amount of minerals and nutrients that help in improving the soil and the growth of aquatic plants. Hence, it is seen that fishermen also use it in ponds and lakes to help increase the growth of aquatic plants.
What Are the Signs That a Body of Water Is Containing Brackish Water?
The signs that a body of water contains it are – – The water is murky or has a brown or green color. – The water tastes salty like ocean water. – The salinity level is higher than in freshwater but less than in seawater. – The pH level of the water is between 6.5 and 8.5.
Conclusion
It is a mixture of freshwater and saltwater that has a salinity level between that of freshwater and seawater. It is found in estuaries and where two bodies of water meet. The pH level of it lies between the pH level of freshwater and saltwater. It has a higher amount of minerals and nutrients that help in improving the soil and the growth of aquatic plants. Hence, it is seen that fishermen also use it in ponds and lakes to help increase the growth of aquatic plants. The signs that a body of water contains brackish water are – The water is murky or has a brown or green color. The water tastes salty like ocean water. The salinity level is higher than in freshwater but less than in seawater. The pH level of the water is between 6.5 and 8.5. It is not the same as freshwater because it has a higher amount of minerals and nutrients that help in improving the soil and the growth of aquatic plants.