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Bay of Ambaro (Madagascar) - Environment

Madagascar experiences a monsoon pattern of winds and rainfall. As for the West coast, the Bay of Ambaro has a semi-diurnal tide cycle. The hydrological scheme of rivers discharging into the bay is characterized by highest rate of flow from January to March, and the lowest from July to September. As thermal amplitudes in the North West are low through the year, the rainfall defines the two seasons: the rainy season with potential cyclone hazards extends from November to March, and the dry season from April to October. Due the absence of upwelling off the coast, and being sheltered from open sea influence, these hydro climatic features drive the hydrological and biological conditions and productivity of the Bay of Ambaro, including an alternate estuary and anti-estuary circulation scheme during rainy and dry seasons respectively. Specifically, the southern part of the area is highly influenced by freshwater discharge and the northern part is more exposed to offshore waters. The estuary circulation leads to a vertical stratification of hydrological parameters including the salinity, which tends to be more homogenous in the dry season. The massive amount of sediment delivered by rivers into the sea during the rainy season in the form of silt, results in mud and sandy-mud dominating the substrates. The bay operates as a trap for organic matter, creating favorable conditions for limnivorous species.