Seasonal and spatial variation of phosphorous in the estuary of the Negro River (Argentina): a preliminary approach.

PERILLO, V.L.; BOHN, V.Y.; MENENDEZ, M.C.; RONDA, A.C.; VITALE, A.J.; PERILLO, G.M.E.; PICCOLO, M.C.; CUADRADO, D.G.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH

SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

Lugar: HEIDELBERG; Año: 2021 vol. 29 p. 15490 - 15500

0944-1344

harmful algae blooms on these ecosystems. Preliminary seasonal physicochemical parameters at six stations along the NegroRiver Estuary (Argentina) were studied during 2019 (Austral summer, winter, and spring) with high- and low-frequencydata. Three of the stations were mainly estuarine-influenced and three were marine-influenced ones. The concentration ofphosphate (P), river discharge, meteorological conditions, seasonality, and physicochemical variables were analyzed. Totalphosphorus (TP) showed seasonal variations and was higher than previously reported for the upper watershed in all stationsin the warmer months, except for the marine control one. Orthophosphate values were also high compared to previouswatershed data and changed independently of TP fluctuations. Changing turbidity, water temperature, pH, and conductivitydid not appear to have an essential role in phosphorus variations. An unexplained high TP spike in the late spring sampleshows the need for further research in the area, while the seawater mixing with P-rich river water could be acting as a dilutionagent at the mouth of the river.