210
~24
A
p --------------------------- ----~~!YI-~~~- -----w2o
0:::
::J
~ 16
w
FALL
SPRING
....................... ··
~ 12
w
1-·-·-·-·-·-·-· ..... ,
... ·-· -·-·-· _ WINTE~ _ . _ ·- _
8
........
·-·-·-·
2.5
5
10
15 km
35 B
27
--------26 0
33
m
~ 31
'
25 z
'
tn
I
:::::j
~ 29
I
24
'
-<
..J
I
5i
<(
I
23
I
(/) 27
I
- 5
-~
I
22
25
I
----· ~\
I
I
21
23
I
I
5
10
15km
G.M.E. Perillo et al.
Fig. 14.3. Distribution of mean surface temperature (A) and salinity/density (B) in
inner and mid-reaches of Bahia Blanca estuary (1967-1984). (Modified after Perillo and
Piccolo 1999)
are less than 3 oc (Fig. 14.4A,C). Depending on runoff conditions, salinity
differences between the mouth and head of the estuary may reach 17 and
more than 4 between surface and bottom. At high water, stratification
(halocline 1-3m) may occur in areas of freshwater inflow, while salinity
tends to be homogeneous in the outer estuary (Fig. 14.4B,D). Salinity and
temperature distribution therefore characterize the Bahfa Blanca Estuary
as type 1a (Hansen and Rattray 1966). During normal runoff, the partially
mixed inner region between the mouth of the Sauce Chico River and Ingeniero White Port tends to become homogeneous at low runoff, while salinity patterns in the outer homogeneous region are similar to the adjacent
continental shelf. The boundary between these regions depends on river
discharge (Martos and Piccolo 1988; Piccolo and Perillo 1990).