Physical oceanography of the Río de la Plata Estuary, Argentina

摘要: The Rfo de la Plata drains the second largest basin of South America. It flows into Atlantic Ocean generating an estuarine system about 35,000 km 2 , with only 5-15 m water depth. On basis temperature and salinity data from last 29 years, property seasonality at estuary were studied. Surface distribution is controlled by balance between onshore offshore winds, river discharge Coriolis force. As a result combined effects these forces, two periods observed for distribution. Fall-winter characterized winds maximum in continental drainage, main NNE drift waters along Uruguayan coast. During spring- summer, become dominant minimum runoff observed, resulting Ekman surface advecting freshwater southwards Argentine Consequently, shelf penetrate up to Punta del Este (Uruguay). Bottom does not exhibit seasonality, because intrusion bathymetry. field, driven atmospheric cycle, presents warm cold season. Homogen- eity vertical as well horizontal scales characterizes periods. High-resolution CTD arranged sections describe river-ocean interaction. A salt wedge quasi-permanent feature central southern sectors estuary, defining area strong stratification. However, stratification destroyed moderate winds. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd