Assessment of surf zone environmental variables in a Southwestern Atlantic sandy beach (Monte Hermoso, Argentina).

MENENDEZ, M.C.; FERNANDEZ SEVERINI, M.D.; BUZZI, N.S.; PICCOLO, M.C.; PERILLO, G.M.E.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2016 vol. 188

0167-6369

T he aim of this study was to investigate the temporal dynamics(monthly/tidal) of water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a (chlo-a),suspended particulate matter (SPM), particulate organic carbon(POC), and dissolved nutrients in the surf zone of Monte Hermososandy beach, Argentina. We also aimed to understand theunderlying mechanisms responsible for the observed variability.Sampling was carried out approximately monthly (September2009?November 2010), and all samples were collected in a fixedstation during high and low tide. Water temperature showed a clearseasonal variability (July: 9 °C?December: 26.5 °C) and a thermalamplitude of 17.5 °C. Salinity ranged from 33 to 37, without apronounced seasonality. SPM (10?223 mg L−1) and POCconcentrations (399?6445 mg C m−3) were high in surf zone waters.Chlo-a (0.05?9.16 μg L−1) was low and did not evidence theoccurrence of surf diatom accumulations. Dissolved nutrientconcentration was quite fluctuating. None of the variables seemedto be affected by tidal stage. T he results showed how fluctuatingthe physico-chemical and biological variables can be in thisparticular system. T he observed variability can be related with localbeach conditions but also with regional processes. T he study area ishighly influenced by a neighbor estuary and as a consequence,could be vulnerable to their seasonal and inter-annual dynamics.All of these characteristics must be considered for further studiesand planning of the uses of natural resources and should be takeninto account in any environmental monitoring program conductedin a similar beach system.