Environmental hydrogeology of the southern sector of the Samborombon Bay wetland, Argentina

The Samborombon Bay wetland is located on the west margin of the Rio de la Plata estuary, in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This paper analyses the geological, geomorphologic, soil and vegetation characteristics of the southernmost sector of this wetland and their influence on surface wate...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Carol, Eleonora Silvina, Kruse, Eduardo Emilio, Pousa, Jorge Lorenzo
Tipo de documento: artigo
Estado:Versão publicada
Data de publicação:2007
País:Argentina
Recursos:Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Repositório:SEDICI (UNLP)
Idioma:inglês
OAI Identifier:oai:sedici.unlp.edu.ar:10915/144030
Acesso em linha:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/144030
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:Geología
Samborombon Bay
Argentina
Wetlands
Surface water
Groundwater
Descrição
Resumo:The Samborombon Bay wetland is located on the west margin of the Rio de la Plata estuary, in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This paper analyses the geological, geomorphologic, soil and vegetation characteristics of the southernmost sector of this wetland and their influence on surface water and groundwater. The study area presents three hydrologic units: coastal dunes, sand sheets and coastal plain. Coastal dunes and sand sheets are recharge zones of high permeability with well-drained, non-saline soils, and a few surface water flows. Changes in the water table are related to rainfall. Groundwater in coastal dunes is Ca–Mg–HCO₃ to Na–HCO₃, and of low salinity (590 mg/l). Groundwater in sand sheets is mainly Na–HCO₃ with a salinity of about 1,020 mg/l. The coastal plain exhibits medium to low permeability sediments, with submerged saline soils poorly drained. Groundwater is Na–Cl with a mean salinity of 16,502 mg/l. A surface hydrological network develops in the coastal plain. Surface water levels near the shoreline are affected by tidal fluctuations; far from the shoreline water accumulates because of poor drainage. Both sectors have Na–Cl water, but the former is more saline. Human intervention and sea level rise may affect the wetland severely.