The sudestadas: a hydro-meteorological phenomenon that affects river pollution (River Luján, South America)

PIZARRO, HAYDÉE; RODRÍGUEZ, PATRICIA; BONAVENTURA, STELLA MARIS; O´FARRELL, INÉS; IZAGUIRRE, IRINA

HYDROLOGICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL-JOURNAL DES SCIENCES HYDROLOGIQUES

IAHS Press

Lugar: Oxford, Inglaterra; Año: 2007 vol. 52 p. 702 - 712

0262-6667

The “sudestadas” are short-term hydro-meteorological phenomena that produce a “hydraulic plug”, preventing the normal drainage of the water courses 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 on the lower stretch of river. Physical and chemical variables were measured and a nonparametric 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 the Earth’s warming; thus, this research suggests that the environmental risk produced by the effects of global change, will be greater.