How does the Coriolis effect influence water flow in a partially mixed estuary?

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Diagram showing four main types of estuaries: salt wedge, partially mixed, vertically homogeneous, and fjord. Each panel illustrates river and seawater mixing patterns, with arrows indicating the direction of saltwater and freshwater flow. — estuary Four main types of estuaries: (A) salt wedge estuary, (B) partially mixed estuary, (C) vertically homogeneous estuary, and (D) fjord (black arrows indicate salt water and white arrows fresh).

In a partially mixed estuary, the Coriolis effect significantly influences the lateral distribution of water flow due to the rotation of the Earth.1

This phenomenon causes the surface flow to be stronger on the right-hand side of the estuary when facing seaward in the Northern Hemisphere, while the opposite occurs in the Southern Hemisphere. Conversely, the landward flow of seawater occurring near the bottom is stronger on the opposite side of the estuary.1