Estuaries of South America

Transcription

1 Gerardo M.E. Perillo Maria Cintia Piccolo Mario Pino-Quivira (Eds.) Estuaries of South America Their Geomorphology and Dynamics With 102 Figures and 20 Tables Springer

2 1 What Do We Know About the Geomorphology and Physical Oceanography of South American Estuaries? Introduction World Estuary Distribution Estuaries of South America International Publications About South American Estuaries Conclusions 12 Acknowledgements 12 References 13 2 The Maracaibo System: A Physical Profile Introduction Geomorphology Geological History of the Estuary Climatology Temperature Wind Regime Precipitation Water Balance Hydrography Tides Water Levels Currents Salinity Salinity Patterns Salt Intrusion Salt Balance of the Lake Chemistry and Fertility of the Water Dissolved Oxygen Nutrients Conclusions 32 References 33 3 Coastal Lagoons of Southeastern Brazil: Physical and Biogeochemical Characteristics Introduction Coastal Lagoons in Brazil Coastal Lagoon Evolution 40

3 3.4 Tidal Choking Hydrology and Water Balance Wind Effects Salinity and Stratification Flushing Time Nutrient Standing Stock and Particulate Organic Matter Primary Producers Primary Production Pelagic and Benthic Metabolism Nutrient Sources and Primary Production Trophic State Human Impact Management Issues 61 Acknowledgements 62 References 62 4 Nutrients and Suspended Matter Behaviour in the Patos Lagoon Estuary (Brazil) Introduction Materials and Methods Data Reduction for Determining Estuarine Behaviour of Nutrients and Total Suspended Matter Results and Discussions Salinity Dissolved Oxygen Total Suspended Matter Phosphate Nitrate, Nitrite and Ammonium Silicate Conclusions 80 Acknowledgements 80 References 80 5 Hydrographical Characteristics of the Estuarine Area of Patos Lagoon Introduction Main Characteristics of the Area Data Sampling and Treatment Longitudinal Surveys Time Series Surveys Results Longitudinal Salinity and Temperature Distribution Temporal Variations of Water Level, Currents and Salinity Estuarine Classification of the Channel Area Longitudinal Salt Transport Discussion and Conclusions 98 Acknowledgements 99 References 99

4 XI 6 The Argentina Estuaries: A Review Introduction Rio de la Plata Estuary Estuaries of the Buenos Aires Province Between Samborombon Bay and Bahi'a Blanca Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon Quequen Grande Estuary Ill Bahfa Blanca Estuary Estuaries of the Patagonia Colorado River Estuary Negro River Estuary Chubut River Estuary Estuaries of Southern Patagonia Ri'o Gallegos Estuary Tierra del Fuego Estuaries San Sebastian Bay 127 Summary 129 Acknowledgements 129 References Hydrography and Sediment Transport Characteristics of the Rio de la Plata: A Review Introduction Regional Setting Drainage Basin Tributary River Discharge Meteorology Hydrographic Characteristics Morphology Surficial Bottom Sediments Tides and Tidal Currents Salinity Suspended Sediments Synthesis 154 Acknowledgements 156 References Physical Characteristics and Processes of the Rio de la Plata Estuary Introduction Rio de la Plata Environment Physiographic Setting Climatology River Input Tides and Tidal Currents Tides in the Estuary Tidal Currents Storm Surges 168

5 XII Contents 8.4 Salinity and Water Stratification Background Seasonal Distribution Vertical Distribution and Stratification Temperature Seasonal Distribution Sea Surface Temperature Turbidity Front Mean Distribution Seasonal Distribution 189 Summary 190 Acknowledgements 190 References Geomorphological and Physical Characteristics of the Bahia Blanca Estuary, Argentina Introduction Geological Setting Geomorphology Geomorphology of the Tidal Channels Physical Processes Tides Wind Influence Salinity and Temperature Tidal Currents Residual Fluxes Discussion and Conclusions 213 Acknowledgements 214 References 215 Subject Index 217 Geographic Index 221