Wind waves climate change as an explanation of the erosion in Samborombón Bay, Argentine

CODIGNOTTO, J.; DRAGANI, W. C.; MARTÍN, P.B; SIMIONATO, C. G.; MEDINA, R.A.; ALONSO, G.

CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2012 vol. 38 p. 110 - 116

0278-4343

The coastal area of Samborombón Bay ends in a short cliff which,during the last decades, has been undergoing an increased retrogression of approximately 8.2 m decade-1. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether this accelerated erosion can be related to an apparent wind-wave climatechange, which has been recently reported for the Río de la Plata region. A numerical study with SWAN wave model for the period 1971–2005 drives to positive trends in the frequency of occurrence and heights of waves propagating from the E and ESE. Particularly, the number of cases of high waves from those directions displays a significant increment. In addition, previous papers have reported an increment of the frequency, height and duration of the stormsurges in the Río de la Plata, so as arise of the mean sea level in the region. It is concluded that the combination of those three factors acting together constitutes a powerful and effective mechanism which is likely responsible for the observed increasing erosion in Samborombón Bay.