The river plume in the Pearl River Estuary is influenced by factors like river flow, tides, basin shape, and wind. A study using a computer model found that the size of the plume is determined by river discharge, while its shape is affected by wind direction. Tidal currents can limit the spread of diluted water towards the sea, but don't contribute much to the overall movement of low-salinity water. The time it takes for the plume to flush out can double when the Coriolis force is considered, delaying the flow of diluted water. Southwest winds can speed up the flushing process, while northeast winds can slow it down. These patterns also hold true when tides are taken into account.