144
20
15
~
>- u
c 10
'" :::>
0"
~
u..
5
0
N
o Martin Garcia
_
La Plata
~ Recalada
Montevideo
~ Punta del Este
Jorge Lopez Laborde· Gustavo J. Nagy
E
5
W
Ca lma
NE
SE
SW
NW
Wind direction
Fig. 7.7. Yearly wind direction distribution at selected weather stations: Martin Garcia (1957-1980),
La Plata (1957-1980), Recalada (1961-1980), Montevideo (1977-1986) and Punta del Este (1983-1989)
With respect to the currents encountered in the Rio de la Plata (Mazio and Martinez
1989), the net flow follows the main direction of the river discharge. The maximum
velocities have been observed approximately two to three hours after the high or low
tide at a particular site, with greater velocities recorded along the southern coast. The
maximum observed velocities were 59.2 cm S-1 along the southern coast (34°47'00"5
to 57° 49'12"W) with outgoing tide, and 37.6 cm S-1 along the northern coast (34°28'42"5
to 57° 49'50"W) with incoming tide. Bathymetry affects the local currents and incoming and outgoing tidal currents, which are oriented in the direction of the river axes
and in the direction of the existing channels.
7.3.4
Salinity
Several studies show the distribution and characteristics of marine and fresh water
in the Rio de la Plata, as well as how far salinity penetrates and fresh water extends.
The first recorded observations may have been made by Charles Darwin. He annotated on the Beagle Expedition diary (July 5 th , 1832):
20
15
~
>- u
c 10
'" :::>
0"
~
u..
5
0
N
o Martin Garcia
_
La Plata
~ Recalada
Montevideo
~ Punta del Este
Jorge Lopez Laborde· Gustavo J. Nagy
E
5
W
Ca lma
NE
SE
SW
NW
Wind direction
Fig. 7.7. Yearly wind direction distribution at selected weather stations: Martin Garcia (1957-1980),
La Plata (1957-1980), Recalada (1961-1980), Montevideo (1977-1986) and Punta del Este (1983-1989)
With respect to the currents encountered in the Rio de la Plata (Mazio and Martinez
1989), the net flow follows the main direction of the river discharge. The maximum
velocities have been observed approximately two to three hours after the high or low
tide at a particular site, with greater velocities recorded along the southern coast. The
maximum observed velocities were 59.2 cm S-1 along the southern coast (34°47'00"5
to 57° 49'12"W) with outgoing tide, and 37.6 cm S-1 along the northern coast (34°28'42"5
to 57° 49'50"W) with incoming tide. Bathymetry affects the local currents and incoming and outgoing tidal currents, which are oriented in the direction of the river axes
and in the direction of the existing channels.
7.3.4
Salinity
Several studies show the distribution and characteristics of marine and fresh water
in the Rio de la Plata, as well as how far salinity penetrates and fresh water extends.
The first recorded observations may have been made by Charles Darwin. He annotated on the Beagle Expedition diary (July 5 th , 1832):