Horizontal Distribution of Salinity and Temperature on Merbok Estuary, Malaysia

The characteristics and distribution of the salinity and temperature and water systems in the Merbok Estuary and nearby coastal waters are examined. This research focuses mainly on physical processes. The results analysis provides an insight the typical scales of variability of the horizontal phenomena. During high discharges, the lower salinity water (isohalines) was more evident near the estuary mouth due to high discharge. During low discharge, the invasion of freshwater in the lower estuary was much less pronounced. Similar temperature trend was observed for the estuary possibly due to low discharge phenomenon. Bigger amount of freshwater can dictate the brackish water temperature compare to smaller amount of freshwater. There was a transition in stratification between high and low river discharge.