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The original idea of this book started when we were making a residual fluxes study of the Paranagua Coastal Lagoon (Brazil) near the colonial town of Guaraque~aba.Among the beautiful mangroves of this Brazilian National Park, between profile and profile, we wondered why South American estuaries were little known in the international arena. Besides, most of the papers published in the literature are based on biological research. Practically nothing is known about their geomorphology and dynamics. That night, while we were walking along the hilly streets of the town, we decided that the only way to have an idea about the degree of advance in the geomorphology and dynamics of our estuaries was to ask the proper South American researchers to write review articles about the estuaries in which they were working or about the gen eral state of the art of the Geomorphology and Physical Oceanography of the estuar ies of his/her country. The book grew from then on. Although initially many scien tists offer to write a chapter, we ran into the same problem these researchers have to publish in journals, they felt that their English was not good enough and withdrew. However, we are very satisfy about the number and quality of the contributions which also passed a very strong review process.
List of contents
1 What Do We Know About the Geomorphology and Physical Oceanography of South American Estuaries?.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 World Estuary Distribution.- 1.3 Estuaries of South America.- 1.4 International Publications About South American Estuaries.- 1.5 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 2 The Maracaibo System: A Physical Profile.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Geomorphology.- 2.3 Geological History of the Estuary.- 2.4 Climatology.- 2.5 Hydrography.- 2.6 Salinity.- 2.7 Chemistry and Fertility of the Water.- 2.8 Conclusions.- References.- 3 Coastal Lagoons of Southeastern Brazil: Physical and Biogeochemical Characteristics.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Coastal Lagoons in Brazil.- 3.3 Coastal Lagoon Evolution.- 3.4 Tidal Choking.- 3.5 Hydrology and Water Balance.- 3.6 Wind Effects.- 3.7 Salinity and Stratification.- 3.8 Flushing Time.- 3.9 Nutrient Standing Stock and Particulate Organic Matter.- 3.10 Primary Producers.- 3.11 Primary Production.- 3.12 Pelagic and Benthic Metabolism.- 3.13 Nutrient Sources and Primary Production.- 3.14 Trophic State.- 3.15 Human Impact.- 3.16 Management Issues.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 4 Nutrients and Suspended Matter Behaviour in the Patos Lagoon Estuary (Brazil).- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Materials and Methods.- 4.3 Results and Discussions.- 4.4 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 5 Hydrographical Characteristics of the Estuarine Area of Patos Lagoon.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Main Characteristics of the Area.- 5.3 Data Sampling and Treatment.- 5.4 Results.- 5.5 Discussion and Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 6 The Argentina Estuaries: A Review.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Río de la Plata Estuary.- 6.3 Estuaries of the Buenos Aires Province Between Samborombón Bay and Bahía Blanca.- 6.4 Estuaries of the Patagonia.-6.5 Estuaries of Southern Patagonia.- 6.6 Tierra del Fuego Estuaries.- Summary.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 7 Hydrography and Sediment Transport Characteristics of the Río de la Plata: A Review.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Regional Setting.- 7.3 Hydrographic Characteristics.- 7.4 Synthesis.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 8 Physical Characteristics and Processes of the Río de la Plata Estuary.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Río de la Plata Environment.- 8.3 Tides and Tidal Currents.- 8.4 Salinity and Water Stratification.- 8.5 Temperature.- 8.6 Turbidity Front.- Summary.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 9 Geomorphological and Physical Characteristics of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Geological Setting.- 9.3 Geomorphology.- 9.4 Physical Processes.- 9.5 Discussion and Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Geographic Index.
