INVESTIGADORES
BOTTE Sandra Elizabeth
capítulos de libros
Título:
SALT-MARSHES: ROLE WITHIN THE BAHÍA BLANCA ESTUARY
Autor/es:
BOTTÉ, S.E.; NEGRIN, V.; PRATOLONGO, P.; GONZALEZ TRILLA, G.
Libro:
Perspectives on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in South America
Editorial:
IST Scientific Publishers
Referencias:
Lugar: Lisbon; Año: 2008; p. 279 - 288
Resumen:
Two important plant communities exist within estuarine environments: salt-marshes in temperate and warm temperate latitudes, and mangrove swamps on tropical and sub-tropical coastlines (Dawes 1991, Cagnoni 1999). These wetlands develop in the intertidal zone, a geomorphic environment that permits both the deposition of fine sediments and the establishment of vegetation (Luternauer et al. 1995, Davidson-Arnott et al. 2002), making them of particular interest from a biogeochemical point of view. Salt-marshes are the main sites for the dynamic exchange of water, sediment and organic matter between uplands and coastal waters (Gordon et al. 1985). They can either act as a source or a sink of nutrients and contaminants (Weis and Weis 2004, Botte 2005, Hempel et al., submitted) depending on the current biogeochemical characteristics. Macrophytes have also been shown to play important roles in marsh biogeochemistry through their active and passive circulation of elements (Weis and Weis 2004). The production of organic matter in these environments is also of great interest because of the formation of detritus by halophytic plants, which may be an important component in the food chain in coastal waters due to high primary production and frequent tidal connection (Chalmers et al. 1985). The Bahia Blanca estuary in Argentina, on the northern limits of Patagonia (situated between 38° and 39° S), is a good case study for evaluating the transfer of nutrients, metals and organic matter between the coastal zone and the open sea, because stands of halophytic plants are present, as described in others coastal salt-marshes (Luternauer et al. 1995, Mitsch and Gosselink 2000), which are normally dense and varied. A study of the biogeochemical balances of nutrients, metals and other contaminants which can be modified by an increase or decrease in load would provide an important data base that could be included in dynamic models such as MOHID. Moreover, ecological studies of the role of salt-marshes would provide information that would assist decision makers in land use planning within these systems, when considering future development (e.g., industrial locations, port facilities, fishery fleet, oil transport, processing and storage, etc). So, this chapter offers a brief overview of the biological and chemical characteristics of the salt marshes in the Bah´ıa Blanca estuary in order to assess current knowledge.