Contents
1
What Do We Know About the Geomorphology
and Physical Oceanography of South American Estuaries?
........... 1
1.1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ............. 1
1.2 World Estuary Distribution .......................... ......................
. , .. " 4
1.3 Estuaries of South America ......................
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ........ 6
1.4 International Publications About South American Estuaries ........
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1.5 Conclusions ...................................................... .
Acknowledgements . .........................
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References ........................................
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2
The Maracaibo System: A Physical Profile ............................. .
2.1 Introduction .................................... .
2.2 Geomorphology ........................ .
2.3 Geological History of the Estuary
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Climatology ...........................
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2.4.1 Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2.4.2 Wind Regime ................
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2.4.3 Precipitation. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .... . . .
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244 Water Balance .
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2.5 Hydrography.. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .
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2.5.1 Tides. . . . . . . . ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .
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2.5.2 Water Levels ......................................................... .
2.5.3 Currents ................................. .
2.6 Salinity.....................
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2.6.1 Salinity Patterns ........................ ..
2.6.2 Salt Intrusion ...........................
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2.6.3 Salt Balance of the Lake ............. .
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2.7 Chemistry and Fertility of the Water .............................. .
2.7.1 Dissolved Oxygen. ......................
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2.7.2 Nutrients. ... . . . . . .. . . . . . . .... . . . . . . .
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2.8 Conclusions.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .
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References ....................... .
3
Coastal Lagoons of Southeastern Brazil:
Physical and Biogeochemical Characteristics
3·1 Introduction ... ...................
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3.2 Coastal Lagoons in Brazil .......... .
3.3 Coastal Lagoon Evolution ........... .
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