The sudestadas: a hydrometeorological phenomenon that affect river pollution Río de la Plata Estuary (South America).

PIZARRO, H.,; RODRÍGUEZ, P.; BONAVENTURA, S.M.; O'FARRELL, I.; IZAGUIRRE, I.

HYDROLOGICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL-JOURNAL DES SCIENCES HYDROLOGIQUES

IAHS Press

Año: 2007 vol. 52 p. 702 - 712

0262-6667

The ?sudestadas? are a short-term hydro-meteorological phenomena that produce a ?hydraulic plug?, preventing the normal drainage of the watercourses in the Río de la Plata Estuary. The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of the ?sudestadas? on the water quality of the Lower River Luján, which discharges into the Río de la Plata Estuary" (59° 37´ W; 34° 43´ S). Samplings were conducted from November 1998 to July 2001 at six sites at the lower stretch of river. Physical and chemical variables were measured and a non parametric test was applied to each variable grouping samples affected and non-affected by ?sudestadas?, which further diminish the water quality of the river. The frequency and intensity of ?sudestadas? are predicted to increase as a consequence of Earth´s warming effect; thus, this research suggests that the environmental risk produced by the effect of the global change, will be higher.