INVESTIGADORES
ARIAS Andres Hugo
capítulos de libros
Título:
WATER CHEMISTRY AND NUTRIENTS OF THE BAH´IA BLANCA ESTUARY
Autor/es:
FREIJE, R.H.; SPETTER, C.V.; MARCOVECCHIO, J.H.; POPOVICH, C.; BOTTE, S.; NEGRIN, V.; ARIAS, A.H.; DELUCCHI, F.; ASTEASUAIN, R.
Libro:
Perspectives on Integrated Coastal Zona Management in South America
Editorial:
IST Press
Referencias:
Lugar: Lisboa; Año: 2008; p. 243 - 256
Resumen:
Different characteristics of the estuarine environments (i.e. geo-morphological, hydrographical,
climatic or chemical ones) strongly condition the biodiversity development within those
systems (Harrison 2004). So, the range of values of the different involved parameters (temperature,
salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, inorganic nutrients, organic matter, etc) as well as
their corresponding seasonality or unexpected variations would directly determine the scenario
where the whole biological processes will occur also including populations movement
along different spatial gradients due to physiological problems (Laprise and Dodson 1994). In
addition the distribution and availability of non-conservative constituents such as oxygen, nutrients
or organic carbon fully condition the productivity ability of the system, and consequently
its potential transference of energy to higher trophic levels (Cantoni et al. 2003, Rydberg et al.
2006).
Bah´ýa Blanca estuary has been the object of a large amount of environmental studies along
the last 30 years, including most of the above mentioned scientific disciplines. So, a large
time-series database on physicochemical parameters has been developed at the inner part of
the estuary (Pto.Cuatreros and Pto.Ing.White; Figure 1) which allows to bring a better image
of the condition and functioning outline of this area.
It is a very useful tool to diagnose the environmental condition of the system considering that
the mentioned inner zone of the estuary includes not only the discharges of the main rivers
from the region but also the largest anthropic activities such as cities, industries and harbours
location, with their consequent impacts on the estuary. In addition, information has also been
recorded through cruises developed along the Main Navigation Channel, as well as many
coastal studies on the tidal flats at Villa del Mar, Puerto Galv ´an and Puerto Cuatreros (Fig. 1).
The main goal of the present chapter is to summarize the available information on the physicochemical
condition of Bah´ýa Blanca estuary, including the corresponding range of values of
the considered parameters (temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, inorganic nutrients
(DIN, Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen; DIP, Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorous and DSi,
Dissolved Silicates), particulated organic matter and photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a
and phaeopigments), and to identify seasonal variations, as well as the influence of external
sources to the estuarine balance.