WIND-WAVE CLIMATE CHANGE AND INCREASING EROSION OBSERVED IN THE OUTER RÍO DE LA PLATA, ARGENTINA.

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 micro cliff which, during the last decades, has been undergoing increasing retrogression (8.2 m/decade). The aim of this work is to investigate whether this accelerated erosion can be related to an apparent wind-wave climate change, which has been reported for the Río de la Plata region. A numerical study with SWAN model for the period 1971-2005 drives to positive trends in frequencies (10 ± 6 and 7 ± 6 cases/decade) and heights (0.04 ± 0.02 and 0.02 ± 0.02 m/decade) of waves propagating from the E and ESE directions. In addition, an increase in the number of cases of high waves is also inferred for those directions. Previous papers have reported a rise in the frequency, height and duration of the storm surges in the Río de la Plata and an increase in the mean sea level in the region. The joined effect on coastal erosion of those processes is discussed and it is concluded that the combination of those three factors constitutes a powerful and effective mechanism which is likely responsible for the observed increasing erosion in Samborombón Bay.