RECENT ADVANCES IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE RÍO DE LA PLATA ESTUARY CIRCULATION, FORCINGS AND VARIABILITY

CLAUDIA SIMIONATO; VIRNA MECCIA; WALTER DRAGANI; RAUL GUERRERO; MARIO N. NUÑEZ

Foz do Iguacu, PR, Brazil

Congreso; 8th Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography; 2006

American Meteorological Society

The collection, by the first time, of long term ADCP current data and the application of numerical models contributed to a significant improvement in our understanding of the physical processes that occur at the Río de la Plata Estuary. As a result, our knowledge of the behavior of this system has essentially enhanced. In particular: • More reliable cotidal and corange charts have been built, providing information about tidal features in areas where observations are not available. have been built, providing information about tidal features in areas where observations are not available. have been built, providing information about tidal features in areas where observations are not available. have been built, providing information about tidal features in areas where observations are not available. have been built, providing information about tidal features in areas where observations are not available. More reliable cotidal and corange charts have been built, providing information about tidal features in areas where observations are not available. • The first maps of tidal ellipses have become available for the region, so as the first study of tidal energy flux and dissipation. become available for the region, so as the first study of tidal energy flux and dissipation. become available for the region, so as the first study of tidal energy flux and dissipation. become available for the region, so as the first study of tidal energy flux and dissipation. become available for the region, so as the first study of tidal energy flux and dissipation. The first maps of tidal ellipses have become available for the region, so as the first study of tidal energy flux and dissipation. • Seasonal to inter-annual wind variability has been studied and the connections of this variability to processes occurring in remote regions have been identified. has been studied and the connections of this variability to processes occurring in remote regions have been identified. has been studied and the connections of this variability to processes occurring in remote regions have been identified. has been studied and the connections of this variability to processes occurring in remote regions have been identified. has been studied and the connections of this variability to processes occurring in remote regions have been identified. Seasonal to inter-annual wind variability has been studied and the connections of this variability to processes occurring in remote regions have been identified. • It has been proved that the available atmospheric data bases allow for a proper representation of estuarine variability, what constitutes a powerful tool for studying climate variability. atmospheric data bases allow for a proper representation of estuarine variability, what constitutes a powerful tool for studying climate variability. atmospheric data bases allow for a proper representation of estuarine variability, what constitutes a powerful tool for studying climate variability. atmospheric data bases allow for a proper representation of estuarine variability, what constitutes a powerful tool for studying climate variability. atmospheric data bases allow for a proper representation of estuarine variability, what constitutes a powerful tool for studying climate variability. It has been proved that the available atmospheric data bases allow for a proper representation of estuarine variability, what constitutes a powerful tool for studying climate variability. • It has been demonstrated that processes in the remote Patagonian shelf impact estuarine circulation and sea level. in the remote Patagonian shelf impact estuarine circulation and sea level. in the remote Patagonian shelf impact estuarine circulation and sea level. in the remote Patagonian shelf impact estuarine circulation and sea level. in the remote Patagonian shelf impact estuarine circulation and sea level. It has been demonstrated that processes in the remote Patagonian shelf impact estuarine circulation and sea level. • Processes responsible for the observed seasonal variability in the estuarine circulation, affecting the salinity front, have been isolated and explained. seasonal variability in the estuarine circulation, affecting the salinity front, have been isolated and explained. seasonal variability in the estuarine circulation, affecting the salinity front, have been isolated and explained. seasonal variability in the estuarine circulation, affecting the salinity front, have been isolated and explained. seasonal variability in the estuarine circulation, affecting the salinity front, have been isolated and explained. Processes responsible for the observed seasonal variability in the estuarine circulation, affecting the salinity front, have been isolated and explained.