Sediment input from fluvial sources and cliff erosion to the continental shelf of Argentina

The coasts of southern Buenos Aires, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are dominated by cliff erosion. Mean rates of cliff retreat are estimated to be about 0.5-0.6 m/year by comparing old photographs with modern satellite images. Considering the height of the Patagonian and Fueguian cliffs (70 to 120 m), the volume of sediment eroded from these cliffs exceeded the volumes provided by the erosion of the cliffs of Buenos Aires (10 to 20 m height). These erosion rates support an estimated delivery of 217 million tons of sediment per year to the continental shelf, exceeding significantly the 22 millions of tons/year transported by the larger Patagonian rivers Negro and Colorado. However, the contribution of these rivers has decreased since the Late Pleistocene changes in the direction of transport of some watersheds. The Chubut and Chico de Santa Cruz rivers suffered reductions of 21-24% in their watershed areas, resulting in reductions of about 33-34% in the volume of water transported to the Atlantic Ocean per year. As the amount of sediment delivered to the Argentine continental shelf by cliff erosion is higher than the fluvial transport, it should be also considered in the balance of beaches fed by longshore transport.O litoral de Buenos Aires, Patagónia e Terra del Fuego é dominado pela erosão de falésias marinhas. As taxas de medias de recuo foram estimados em 0,5-0,6 m/ano, com base na comparação de fotografias aéreas antigas com imagens satelitárias modernas. Considerando a altura das falésias patagónicas e fueguinas (70 a 120 m), o volume de sedimento erodido supera os volumes que provêm das falésias de Buenos Aires (10 a 20 m). Estas taxas de erosão permitiram estimar um aporte de 217 milhões de toneladas por ano de sedimento à plataforma continental, superando os 22 milhões de toneladas/ano transportados pelos rios da Patagónia, Negro e Colorado. Além disso, a contribuição fluvial diminuiu devido às alterações na drenagem que afetaram algumas bacias desde o Pleistoceno Superior. Os rios Chubut e Chico de Santa Cruz sofreram reduções de 21-24% nas áreas de drenagem, o que significou diminuições de 33-44% nas contribuições de água para o Oceano Atlântico. Como o volume de sedimentos proveniente da erosão de falésias e fornecido à plataforma continental argentina supera o do fornecimento fluvial, tal deve ser também considerado na análise do balanço sedimentar das praias alimentadas pela deriva litorânea

Transporte de arena en medanos litorales activos y colgados del sudeste de Buenos Aires

El transporte de arena por el viento es la principal fuente de suministro de sedimentos para la existencia de médanos litorales en playas arenosas, así como un importante componente en los cálculos de balance sedimentario entre la playa (la fuente) y el médano (el destino). Para evaluar esto, se analizaron médanos del sudeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires mediante un novedoso método de muestreo, que permite percibir diferencias en la dinámica y textura de la arena que conforman el perfil de velocidad, diferencias debido a su génesis y características. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar si había diferencias apreciables cuantificables en las características de médanos costeros colgados en acantilados de Mar del Plata y en médanos frontales, de costas abiertas al sur de la misma zona, en el arroyo de La Ballenera. Se observó que las arenas de médanos frontales son más gruesas que las de los médanos colgados, debido a las zonas de aporte y emplazamiento topográfico. Los mayores volúmenes de arena transportados son por la cara de barlovento y cresta. El perfil del arroyo La Ballenera se halla más influenciado por el efecto marino que el médano colgado, donde predomina la acción eólica. Se observó que cuando la velocidad del viento se duplica, el volumen transportado es 5 veces mayor, lo mismo que el to . El coeficiente de arrastre fue prácticamente despreciable a 2,6 m. La metodología empleada para entrampar el sedimento resultó ser aceptable como una fase inicial para el monitoreo de la dinámica de sectores costeros dominados por el vientoThe sand transport by wind is the main sediment source of supply of silts for the presence of coast dunes in sandy beaches, as well as an important component in the calculations of sedimentary balance among the beach (the source) and the dune (the destination). To evaluate this action, dunes of the southeast of Buenos Aires Province were analyzed by means of a new sampling method that allows to see differences in the dynamics and texture of the sand that conform the profile of speed, differences due to its genesis and characteristic. The objective of the work was to analyze if there were quantifiable appreciable differences in the characteristics of coastal dunes hung in cliffs of Mar del Plata and in front dunes, of open costs to the south of the same area, in the La Ballenera Creek. It was observed that the sands of frontal dunes are coarser than those of the hunging dunes, due to the contribution areas and topographical location. The biggest transported volumes of sand are for the windward face and crest. The profile of the La Ballenera Creek is more influenced by the marine effect that the hunging dune, where the eolic action prevails. It was observed that when the speed of the wind is duplicated, the ported volume was 5 larger more, the same thing that the to . The Drag Coefficient went practically worthless to 2,6 m. The methodology used to trap the silt turned out to be acceptable as an initial phase for the monitoring of the dynamics of coastal sectors dominated by the wind

A vanadium/aspirin complex controlled release using a poly(ß-propiolactone) film : Effects on osteosarcoma cells

A delivery system for vanadium was developed using poly(ß-propiolactone)(PßPL) films. The release kinetics of a complex of vanadium (IV) with aspirin (VOAspi) was evaluated with lms prepared from polymers of different molecular weights, as well as with variable drug load. A sustained release of vanadium over 7 days was achieved. The drug release kinetics depends on contributions from two factors: (a) diffusion of the drug; and (b) erosion of the PßPL lm. The experimental data at an early stage of release were tted with a diffusion model, which allowed determination of the diffusion coef cient of the drug. VOAspi does not show strong interaction with the polymer, as demonstrated by the low apparent partition coef cient (approximately 10-2). UMR106 osteosarcoma cells were used as a model to evaluate the anticarcinogenic effects of the VOAspi released from the PßPL lm. VOAspi–PßPL lm inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-response manner and induced formation of approximately half of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an index of lipid peroxidation, compared to that with free VOAspi in solution. The unloaded PßPL lm did not generate cytotoxicity, as evaluated by cell growth and TBARS. Thus, the polymer-embedded VOAspi retained the antiproliferative effects showing lower cytotoxicity than the free drug. Results with VOAspi–PßPL lms suggest that this delivery system may have promising biomedical and therapeutic applications.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

A vanadium/aspirin complex controlled release using a poly(ß-propiolactone) film : Effects on osteosarcoma cells

A delivery system for vanadium was developed using poly(ß-propiolactone)(PßPL) films. The release kinetics of a complex of vanadium (IV) with aspirin (VOAspi) was evaluated with lms prepared from polymers of different molecular weights, as well as with variable drug load. A sustained release of vanadium over 7 days was achieved. The drug release kinetics depends on contributions from two factors: (a) diffusion of the drug; and (b) erosion of the PßPL lm. The experimental data at an early stage of release were tted with a diffusion model, which allowed determination of the diffusion coef cient of the drug. VOAspi does not show strong interaction with the polymer, as demonstrated by the low apparent partition coef cient (approximately 10-2). UMR106 osteosarcoma cells were used as a model to evaluate the anticarcinogenic effects of the VOAspi released from the PßPL lm. VOAspi–PßPL lm inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-response manner and induced formation of approximately half of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an index of lipid peroxidation, compared to that with free VOAspi in solution. The unloaded PßPL lm did not generate cytotoxicity, as evaluated by cell growth and TBARS. Thus, the polymer-embedded VOAspi retained the antiproliferative effects showing lower cytotoxicity than the free drug. Results with VOAspi–PßPL lms suggest that this delivery system may have promising biomedical and therapeutic applications.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Playas de bolsillo en Mar Chiquita provincia de Buenos Aires

La costa norte de General Pueyrredon y sur de Mar Chiquita (Buenos Aires) está constituida por playas de bolsillo, desarrolladas entre cabos rocosos o entre espigones. Su dinámica mayormente erosiva está condicionada a fenómenos naturales episódicos (tormentas sudestadas) y a acciones antrópicas derivadas del drenaje de excesos hídricos o las alteraciones estacionales que hacen los concesionarios de balnearios. En los últimos años estas playas han sido objeto de desbalances originados por sucesivas obstrucciones de la deriva litoral originadas por campos de espigones y la reciente construcción de escolleras, requeridas para el tendido del emisario cloacal de Mar del Plata. Los efectos de la erosión exceden los sectores urbanizados al punto que se han estimado retrocesos de las escarpas de médano superiores a 1 m/año al norte de Mar Chiquita. Con el objeto de analizar los impactos (naturales y antrópicos) en relación a la dinámica de estas playas de bolsillo, se ejecutaron perfiles en 6 playas del litoral durante los intervalos 2004-2005 y 2009-2011. De la comparación de fotografías aéreas e imágenes modernas se pudo reconocer la magnitud de la erosión costera según los intervalos 1957-1987 y 1987- 2000. Los espigones han logrado disminuir efectos erosivos hacia el sur de Santa Clara, pero se han incrementado hacia el norte. Los perfiles permitieron evaluar la magnitud de las variaciones estacionales en cada playa, y los balances negativos dominantes para las de Santa Clara, Camet Norte y Parque Mar Chiquita. Los relevamientos con sonar de barrido lateral de 2009 confirmaron la distribución de formas erosivas en Camet y dorsales de arena al norte de Mar Chiquita. Este tipo de monitoreo de los sectores intermareales y submareales resultan necesarios al momento de decidir técnicas de preservación o alimentación artificial de playas.The northern coast of General Pueyrredon and south of Mar Chiquita (Buenos Aires, Argentina) are pocket beaches, developed between rocky capes or among breakwaters. Its dynamics is determined mainly erosive episodic natural phenomena (sudestadas) and human actions resulting from drainage of excess water or seasonal alterations that make Spa dealers. In recent years, these beaches have been successive imbalances caused by obstruction of the littoral drift fields caused by the recent construction of jetties and breakwaters, required for laying sewage outfall of Mar del Plata City. The effects of erosion exceed urbanized areas to the extent that setbacks were estimated dune scarps greater than 1 m / year north of Mar Chiquita. In order to delimit impacts, we made profiles in 6 beaches of this coast during the intervals 2004-2005 and 2009-2011. A comparison of aerial photographs and modern images could recognize the extent of coastal erosion at the intervals 1957-1987 and 1987-2000. The breakwaters have reduced erosive effects to the south of Santa Clara, but have increased to the north. The profiles have been able to assess the magnitude of seasonal variations on each beach, and the dominant negative balances for Santa Clara, Camet Norte and Parque Mar Chiquita. The surveys with sidescan sonar in 2009, confirmed the distribution of erosive forms in Camet and sand ridges north of Mar Chiquita. This type of monitoring of intertidal and subtidal areas are necessary when deciding techniques of preservation or beach nourishment

Groundwater characteristics within loessic deposits: the coastal springs of Los Acantilados, Mar del Plata, Argentina

The urban growth of the southern neighborhoods of Mar del Plata City provoked significant changes in the groundwater balance of the loessic sequences. These regional loessic levels with a significant portion of volcanic ash layers were reported subject to fluoride and nitrate concentrations. Residential houses pump from sands located 70 m depth and withdraw the sewages to depths less than 5 m. These effects cause significant local and seasonal (summer) increments of the water table outcropping via springs at certain unconformities of the coastal cliffs. A mathematical model was applied to analyze the water level lowering at the productive levels, while there is a decrease in the quality of the upper levels subject to waste discharges. Much of this groundwater flow is concentrated in unconformities between different types of sediments. Human activities have affected the aquifer dynamics increasing the groundwater pumping rates and the return velocity of the sewages. This should be considered in the management strategies of coastal hydric resources.Fil: Isla, Federico Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Quiroz Londoño, Orlando Mauricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Cortizo, Luis Camilo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Evolución y dinámica de la barrera medanosa entre los arroyos Zabala y Claromecó, partidos de San Cayetano y Tres Arroyos, Buenos Aires

Se analiza un tramo del litoral sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires a través del análisis digital de fotografías del satélite Corona del año 1965 e imágenes del sensor Landsat TM (1999-2000). Datos complementarios concernientes a factores climáticos y morfología de playas fueron añadidos para el entendimiento de la dinámica eólica y de las formas medanosas resultantes. El proceso más importante fue la reducción en volumen de las formas medanosas reconocidas como semifijas y fijas al año 1965 (28% en la franja analizada de 70 x 3 km) fundamentalmente por efectos del incremento en la humedad y reducción del aporte sedimentario. Se evidenció una variación en la dirección de los vientos predominantes del norte (1951-1960) al noroeste (1951-1990) que modificó la orientación de las crestas y favoreció la transición de médanos transversos barjanoides a parabólicos. La intensidad del viento del sector SO durante el período analizado fue el responsable de que las geoformas medanosas se mantengan en posición a expensas de una continua degradación. El efecto antrópico se ha centrado en la implantación de especies arbóreas para fijar las dunas así como para el desarrollo turístico (balnearios Claromecó, Orense y San Cayetano) abarcando 50 Km² de una franja de 210 km²; aunque no hay efectos antrópicos que alteren la dinámica litoral. Se corroboró un aumento en las condiciones de humedad del suelo (aumento en las precipitaciones del 20%) lo cual evidenció el rol de la vegetación en el control del campo de dunas.The coastal area of San Cayetano and Tres Arroyos counties was analyzed by mean of modern Landsat TM images (1999- 2000) and Corona satellite photographs of the year 1965. Data concerning climatic factors and beach morphology were added in order to understand aeolian dynamics and morphology of coastal dunes. The most important feature recognized was the reduction in volume of the dunes recognized as semi-fixed and fixed in 1965 mainly due to an increase in environmental moisture and a probable reduction of the sediment supply. A variation in wind direction from the north (1951-1960) towards the northwest (1951-1990) was evidenced, which modified the orientation of crests and propitiated the transition from barjanoids transverse dunes to parabolic dunes. Wind intensity in the SW sector during the analyzed period was the responsible for the maintenance of the dunes at the expense of a continuous degradation. The detailed analysis of some sectors by means of aerial photographs (year 1984) allowed the discrimination of morphological features in the evolution of parabolic and transverse dunes, which are of importance to discern the location, paleoclimatic events and migration of dunes. The antropic effect has been centered in the planting of arboreal species with the purpose of fixing dunes as well as tourist development (Claromecó, Orense and San Cayetano) The antropic effect do not alter the littoral drift. An increase in soil moisture (20 % increase in rainfall) probed the role of vegetation in controlling dune fields

Villa Gesell: un desequilibrio sedimentario inducido por fijaciones de médanos

Villa Gesell fue construida sobre una barrera de médanos transversales a los vientos del SO. La fijación de estas dunas (plantaciones y forestaciones) alteró la morfología original y la dinámica eólica, principalmente a partir de una disminución de la disponibilidad de arena que transformó, en ciertos sectores, los médanos transversales en parabólicos. Parte de la arena litoral fue a colmatar las depresiones intermedanosas dispuestas perpendicularmente a la línea de costa. A partir de fotografías aéreas se constató que en el centro de Villa Gesell la línea de ribera no ha retrocedido significativamente en 24 años. Sólo hacia el sur del partido, se reconoce la erosión litoral debido indirectamente a la fijación de la barrera que produjo médanos frontales ( foredunes ) subalimentados. A través de balances sedimentarios de cinco playas se reconocieron zonas de diferente dinámica. Las playas del norte poseen intercambios volumétricos significativamente menores que los del sur. Las arenas gruesas se deben a procesos de retrabajamiento de depósitos litorales fósiles del sur. El transporte eólico selectivo, desde la playa hacia la barrera (inducido por las forestaciones), es también causante de que en la playa dominen las granulometrías gruesas

Requerimientos y disponibilidad de arenas para la defensa de las playas de Necochea y Lobería

La costa de Lobería y Necochea se caracteriza por acantilados y playas de escaso desarrollo. La desembocadura del río Quequén Grande alteraba la línea de costa. La construcción de las escolleras del puerto de Quequén indujo una gran acumulación de arena en el sector de Necochea, y un crítico proceso erosivo de los acantilados y en las playas del este. El ancho de las playas se reduce de 300 m en el oeste a sólo 40-60 m hacia el este. Considerando la escasez generalizada de arena, las playas del este son las que tienen mayor variabilidad sedimentaria. Las mayores variaciones en los balances de arena fueron originadas por actividades humanas. Las olas provenientes del E, SE y S proyectan mayor energía en este sector oriental. Por otro lado, los sectores infralitorales de estas playas tienen poca disponibilidad de arena. La mayor abundancia de arena fina ha sido reconocida hacia el balneario Necochea. El río Quequén Grande tiene un significativo efecto sobre la dinámica del estuario durante las crecidas originadas por eventos ENSO, aunque la sedimentación está dominada por aportes de limo.The coast of Lobería and Necochea is characterized by cliffsand narrow beaches. The inlet of the Quequén Grande river used to alter the coastline. The construction of jetties related to the Quequén Harbour induced huge accumulations of sand towards Necochea, and a critic erosive process of cliff and beach to the east. Beach width reduces from 300 m at the west to 40-60 m to the east. Considering regional sand scarcity, the eastern beaches are characterized by more sand variability. Greater variations in the sand balance were assigned to human activity. Waves coming from the E, SE and S deliver more energy along this eastern sector. On the other hand, submerged zones of these beaches have less availability of sand. Greater availability of fine sand was recognized towards Necochea. The Quequén Grande river has much effect on the estuarine dynamics during ENSO-triggered floods, although sedimentation is dominated by silt supply

Oil seeps from the Patagonian shelf: their thermosteric fate

Radar images are commonly applied to recognize and monitor oil seeps on surface waters over continental shelves. In San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia, between 46° S and 48° S, oil slicks have been surveyed performing ellipse patterns in response to mesotidal dynamics. These effects were assigned to recent episodic increments of summer bottom temperatures at depths between 100 and 120 m, which are 2 °C warmer than those recorded during the 20th century. Slicks are assumed to have their origin from faults already known by the oil industry onshore. The effects here described should be envisaged in a climate-change scenario leading to temperature increases of the oceans’ shallow waters, together with other effects such as the human-induced global sea level rise. Under such warmer conditions seeps from continental shelf floors will become more frequent, and their contribution to the atmospheric C budget should be globally assessed