Warm-phase ENSO events modulate the continental freshwater input and the trophic state of sediments in a large South American estuary
F. García-Rodríguez A B , E. Brugnoli A , P. Muniz A , N. Venturini A , L. Burone A , M. Hutton A , M. Rodríguez A , A. Pita A , N. Kandratavicius A , L. Pérez A and J. Verocai AA Sección Oceanografía y Ecología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias, UdelaR, Iguá 4225, Montevideo (11400), Uruguay.
B Corresponding author. Email: felipegr@fcien.edu.uy
Marine and Freshwater Research 65(1) 1-11 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF13077
Submitted: 23 March 2013 Accepted: 28 May 2013 Published: 20 September 2013
Abstract
We studied the changes in geochemical variables in the middle section of Río de la Plata estuary during the 2009–2010 El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event. Protein, organic matter, chlorophyll-a and phaeopigment content of surface sediments were significantly correlated with the increased continental freshwater input associated with high total monthly rainfall. During the warm-phase ENSO event, river flow was 5-fold larger than average historical levels, which led to a steady decrease in salinity values and the highest levels of geochemical variables. The evidence presented herein suggests that warm-phase ENSO events increase the trophic state of the sediments because of the increased freshwater input. Thus, our findings may be useful to anticipate potential eutrophication episodes in the study area.
Additional keywords: eutrophication, rainfall, river flow, estuaries, Uruguay.
References
Ayup, R. N. (1986). Comportamento dos sedimentos em suspensão no Río de la Plata exterior e proximidades. Pesquisas Sección B Ciências Naturais (Porto Alegre) 18, 39–68.Barreiro, M. (2009). Influence of ENSO and the South Atlantic Ocean on climate predictability over Southeastern South America. Climate Dynamics , .
| Influence of ENSO and the South Atlantic Ocean on climate predictability over Southeastern South America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bidegain, M., Caffera, R. M., Pshennikov, V., Lagomarsino, J., and Nagy, G. J. E.A. (2005). Tendencias climáticas, hidrológicas y oceanográficas en el Río de la Plata y costa Uruguaya. In ‘El Cambio Climático en el Río de la Plata, Vol. 14’. (Eds V. Barros, A. Menéndez and G. J. Nagy.) pp. 137–143. (CIMA-UBA: Buenos Aires.)
Bidegain, M., de los Santos, B., de los Campos, T., de los Santos, M., Pshennikov, V., and Verocai, J. D. N., and Severov, D. (2009). Escenarios de cambio climático y del nivel medio del mar en áreas costeras del Uruguay. Reporte de la Facultad de Ciencias al Proyecto GEF-Implementación Medidas de Adaptación al Cambio Climático en Áreas Costeras del Uruguay (ACCC), Unidad de Cambio Climático (UCC), MVOTMA, Uruguay. Available at www.cambioclimatico.gub.uy
Bonachea, J., Bruschi, V. M., Hurtado, M. A., Forte, L. M., da Silva, R., Etcheverry, M., Cavallotto, J. L., Dantas, M. F., Pejon, O. J., Zuquette, L. Z., Bezerra, M. A. O., Remondo, J., Rivas, V., Gómez-Arozamena, J., Fernández, G., and Cendrero, A. (2010). Natural and human forcing in recent geomorphic change; case studies in the Rio de la Plata basin. The Science of the Total Environment 408, 2674–2695.
| Natural and human forcing in recent geomorphic change; case studies in the Rio de la Plata basin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXlsFaqsbo%3D&md5=6e6841d31365ed656de3665d97089fd5CAS | 20381129PubMed |
Bricker, S. B., Ferreira, J. G., and Simas, T. (2003). An integrated methodology for assessment of estuarine trophic status. Ecological Modelling 169, 39–60.
| An integrated methodology for assessment of estuarine trophic status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXotlWksbk%3D&md5=34b422033da692237f0fc4403c773f9aCAS |
Bricker, S. B., Longstaff, B., Dennison, W., Jones, A., Boicourt, K., Wicks, C., and Woerner, J. (2008). Effects of nutrient enrichment in the nation’s estuaries: a decade of change. Harmful Algae 8, 21–32.
| Effects of nutrient enrichment in the nation’s estuaries: a decade of change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXpvFGiuw%3D%3D&md5=7086661fd9fbbac3997ef4f567d7efadCAS |
Brugnoli, E., Muniz, P., Venturini, N., and Burone, L.( 2007). Environmental perturbation and coastal benthic biodiversity in Uruguay. In ‘Progress in Environmental Research’. (Ed. I. C. Willis.) Chapter 2, pp. 75–126. (Nova Publisher: New York.)
Burone, L., Michaelovitch de Mahiques, M., Lopes Figueira, R. C., García-Rodriguez, F., Sprechmann, P., Alvarez, Y., Muniz, P., Brugnoli, E., Venturini, N., de Mello e Sousa, S. E., and Centurión, V. (2011). Evolución paleoambiental de la Bahía de Montevideo (Uruguay) – bases para el establecimiento de un modelo ambiental. In El. Holoceno en la zona costera del Uruguay. Ed F. García-Rodríguez, 197–227, CSIC-UdelaR, Facultad de Ciencias, Montevideo.
Burone, L., Venturini, N., Sprechmann, P., Valente, P., and Muniz, P. (2006). Foraminiferal responses to polluted sediments in the Montevideo Coastal Zone, Uruguay. Marine Pollution Bulletin 52, 61–73.
| Foraminiferal responses to polluted sediments in the Montevideo Coastal Zone, Uruguay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XptVehsw%3D%3D&md5=464c9f91cea2df6076876a74231485c1CAS | 16194551PubMed |
Calliari, D., Brugnoli, E., Ferrari, G., and Vizziano, D. (2009). Phytoplankton distribution and production along a wide enviromental gradient in the South-West Atlantic off Uruguay. Hidrobiologia 620, 47–61.
| Phytoplankton distribution and production along a wide enviromental gradient in the South-West Atlantic off Uruguay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsFCis7jK&md5=d124e4848a0125fa1b0ca59b09bc7fd4CAS |
Clarke, K. R., and Gorley, R. N. (2006). PRIMER v6: User manual/Tutorial, PRIMER-E: Plymouth.
Cloern, J. E. (2001). Our evolving conceptual model of the coastal eutrophication problem. Marine Ecology Progress Series 210, 223–253.
| Our evolving conceptual model of the coastal eutrophication problem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXisV2hsrw%3D&md5=6bf039937e238083a405229c395de7c7CAS |
Danulat, E., Muniz, P., García-Alonso, J., and Yannicelli, B. (2002). First assessment of the highlycontaminated harbour of Montevideo, Uruguay. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44, 554–565.
| First assessment of the highlycontaminated harbour of Montevideo, Uruguay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XktFOmsrw%3D&md5=9855deab5c2e1e531dc923846f46f834CAS | 12146839PubMed |
Dell’Anno, A., Mei, M. L., Pusceddu, A., and Danovaro, R. (2002). Assessing the trophic state and eutrophication of coastal marine systems: a new approach based on the biochemical composition of sediment organic matter. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44, 611–622.
| Assessing the trophic state and eutrophication of coastal marine systems: a new approach based on the biochemical composition of sediment organic matter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XlsVKgt7s%3D&md5=650807f166bbf942c32f50af36ed45bbCAS | 12222884PubMed |
Framiñan, M. B., Etala, M. P., Acha, E. M., Guerrero, R. A., Lasta, C. A., and Brown, O. B. (1999). Physical characteristics and processes of the Río de la Plata estuary. In ‘Estuaries of South America, Their Geomorphology and Dynamics’, (Eds G. M. Perillo, M. C. Piccolo and M. Pino-Quivira.) pp. 161–191. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin.)
FREPLATA. (2004). Análisis Diagnóstico Transfronterizo del Río de la Plata y su Frente Marítimo. Documento Técnico. Proyecto Protección Ambiental del Río de la Plata y su Frente Marítimo. Proyecto PNUD/GEF/RLA/99/G31.
García-Rodríguez, F., Hutton, M., Brugnoli, E., Venturini, N., del Puerto, L., Inda, H., Bracco, R., Burone, L., and Muniz, P. (2010). Assessing the effect of natural variability and human impacts on the environmental quality of a coastal metropolitan area (Montevideo Bay, Uruguay). Pan American Journal of Aquatic Sciences. 5, 90–99.
García-Rodríguez, F., del Puerto, L., Venturini, N., Pita, A. L., Brugnoli, E., Burone, L., and Muniz, P. (2011). Diatoms, protein and carbohydrate sediment content as proxies for coastal eutrophication in Montevideo, Río de la Plata estuary, Uruguay. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography 54, 293–310.
Giberto, D. A., Bermec, C. A., Acha, E. M., and Mianzan, H. (2004). Large-scale spatial patterns of benthic assemblages in the SW Atlantic: the Rio de la Plata estuary and adjacent shelf waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 61, 1–13.
| Large-scale spatial patterns of benthic assemblages in the SW Atlantic: the Rio de la Plata estuary and adjacent shelf waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXnt1ags7Y%3D&md5=5f3254d207b777cb02456c2aa4fa377fCAS |
Gómez-Erache, M., Vizziano, D., Muniz, P., and Nagy, G. J. (2001). The Health of the Río de la Plata system: Northern Coast, Uruguay. In ‘Opportunity and Challenges for Protecting, Restoring and Enhancing Coastal habitats in the Bay of Fundy. Proceedings of the 4th Bay of Fundy Science Worshops, Saint John, New Brunswick. Environment Canada, Atlantic Region. Occasional Report N° 17’. (Eds T. Chopin and P. G. Wells.) pp. 17–35. (Environment Canada: Darmouth, Nova Scotia.)
Guerrero, R. A., Lasta, C. A., Acha, E. M., Mianzan, H. W., and Framiñan, M. A. (1997). Hydrographic atlas of the Río de la Plata. Comisión Administradora del Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires, Montevideo.
Hammer, Ø., Harper, D. A. T., and Ryan, P. D. (2001). PAST: Paleontological Statistics Software Package for Education and Data Analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica 4(1): 9pp. http://palaeo-electronica.org/2001_1/past/issue1_01.htm
Hartree, E. F. (1972). Determination of proteins: a modification of the Lowry method that give a linear photometric response. Analytical Biochemistry 48, 422–427.
| Determination of proteins: a modification of the Lowry method that give a linear photometric response.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE38XksVGjur0%3D&md5=4ac5cfedf3a4354e2d23d8347549aa7fCAS | 4115981PubMed |
Heiri, O., Lotter, A. F., and Lemcke, G. (2001). Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content: reproducibility and comparability of the results. Journal of Paleolimnology 25, 101–110.
| Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content: reproducibility and comparability of the results.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Licursi, M., Sierra, M. V., and Gómez, N. (2006). Diatom assemblages from a turbid coastal plain estuary: Río de la Plata (South America). Journal of Marine Systems 62, 35–45.
| Diatom assemblages from a turbid coastal plain estuary: Río de la Plata (South America).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lorenzen, C. J. (1967). Determination of chlorophyll and pheopigments: Spectrophotometric equations. Limnology and Oceanography 12, 343–346.
| Determination of chlorophyll and pheopigments: Spectrophotometric equations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF1cXovFOqsQ%3D%3D&md5=8b2b152c886c5a4b2f5630adec75d91bCAS |
Moresco, H., and Dol, I. (1996). Metales en sedimentos de la Bahía de Montevideo. Revista de la Asociacion de Ciencias Naturales del Litoral 27, 1–5.
Muniz, P., Venturini, N., and Martínez, A. (2002). Physico-chemical and pollutans of the benthic environment of the Montevideo Coastal Zone, Uruguay. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44, 962–968.
| Physico-chemical and pollutans of the benthic environment of the Montevideo Coastal Zone, Uruguay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XmvVWntr8%3D&md5=e7dec7a4ed6016faf3549356502a618eCAS | 12405221PubMed |
Muniz, P., Venturini, N., and Gómez-Erache, M. (2004a). Spatial distribution of chromium and lead in sediments from coastal areas of the Río de la Plata estuary (Montevideo, Uruguay). Brazilian Journal of Biology 64, 103–116.
| Spatial distribution of chromium and lead in sediments from coastal areas of the Río de la Plata estuary (Montevideo, Uruguay).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2c3psV2nsw%3D%3D&md5=95c04bc94a059a3bdd62f7681d2342baCAS |
Muniz, P., Danulat, E., Yannicelli, B., García-Alonso, J., Medina, G., and Bícego, M. (2004b). Assessment of contamination by hydrocarbons and heavy metals in sediments of Montevideo Harbour (Uruguay). Environment International 29, 1019–1028.
| Assessment of contamination by hydrocarbons and heavy metals in sediments of Montevideo Harbour (Uruguay).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXptVSqt7g%3D&md5=079134e3df67fa37540522e8347d42e5CAS | 14680884PubMed |
Muniz, P., Venturini, N., Hutton, M., Kandratavicius, N., Pita, A., Brugnoli, E., Burone, L., and García-Rodríguez, F. (2011). Ecosystem health of Montevideo coastal zone: a multi approach using some different benthic indicators. Journal of Sea Research 65, 38–50.
| Ecosystem health of Montevideo coastal zone: a multi approach using some different benthic indicators.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nagy, G. J. C., Martínez, M., Caffera, M. R., Pedrosa, G., Forbes, E. A., Perdomo, A. C., López Laborde, J. (1997). The Hydrological and Climatic setting of the Rio de la Plata. Chapter 2. In ‘The Rio de la Plata. An Environmental Overview. An EcoPlata Project Background Report’. (Eds P. G. Wells and G. R. Daborn.) pp. 17–68. (Dalhousie University: Halifax, Nova Scotia.)
Nagy, G. J., Gomez-Erache, M., Lopez, C. H., and Perdomo, A. C. (2002). Distribution patterns of nutrients and symptoms of eutrophication in the Rio de la Plata River Estuary System. Hydrobiologia 475/476, 125–139.
| Distribution patterns of nutrients and symptoms of eutrophication in the Rio de la Plata River Estuary System.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xntlygtb4%3D&md5=be18911589f3f62b55dee2431d737ce0CAS |
Naumann, E. (1919). Nagra synpunkter angaende limnoplanktons ökologi medsärskild hänsyn til fytoplankton. Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 13, 129–163.
Nixon, S. W. (1995). Coastal marine eutrophication: a definition, social causes, and future concerns. Ophelia 41, 199–219.
Olsgard, F., Somerfield, P. J., and Carr, M. R. (1998). Relationships between taxonomic resolution, macrobenthic community patterns and disturbance. Marine Ecology Progress Series 172, 25–36.
| Relationships between taxonomic resolution, macrobenthic community patterns and disturbance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Paerl, H. W. (2006). Assessing and managing nutrient-enhanced eutrophication in estuarine and coastal waters: interactive effects of human and climatic perturbations. Ecological Engineering 26, 40–54.
| Assessing and managing nutrient-enhanced eutrophication in estuarine and coastal waters: interactive effects of human and climatic perturbations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pinckney, J. L., Paerl, H. W., Tester, P., and Richardson, T. L. (2001). The role of nutrient loading and eutrophication in estuarine ecology. Environmental Health Perspectives 109, 699–706.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXotl2lurY%3D&md5=7bd3ab31368633909cb64ada7d124e29CAS | 11677178PubMed |
Piola, A. R., Campos, E. J. D., Möller, O. O., and Martinez, C. (2000). The subtropical shelf front off eastern South America. Journal of Geophysical Research 105, 6565–6578.
| The subtropical shelf front off eastern South America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pusceddu, A., Dell’Anno, A., Fabiano, M., and Danovaro, R. (2009). Quantity and bioavailability of sediment organic matter as signatures of benthic trophic status. Marine Ecology Progress Series 375, 41–52.
| Quantity and bioavailability of sediment organic matter as signatures of benthic trophic status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXjslagu7Y%3D&md5=40309d1904ae72f94143ba849e366107CAS |
Rice, D. L. (1982). The detritus nitrogen problem: new observations and perspectives from organic geochemistry. Marine Ecology Progress Series 9, 153–162.
| The detritus nitrogen problem: new observations and perspectives from organic geochemistry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL38XlsVers7c%3D&md5=4f06473aa271b8663e2d6df0860049a8CAS |
Scavia, D., and Bricker, S. B. (2006). Coastal eutrophication assessment in the United States. Biogeochemistry 79, 187–208.
| Coastal eutrophication assessment in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scheffer, M. (2009). ‘Critical Transitions in Nature and Society.’ (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ, USA.)
Somerfield, P. J., and Clarke, K. R. (1995). Taxonomic levels, in marine community studies, revisited. Marine Ecology Progress Series 127, 113–119.
| Taxonomic levels, in marine community studies, revisited.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sünback, K. (1983). Microphytobenthos on sand in shallow brackish water, Öresund Sweeden. Primary production, chlorophyll a content and species composition (Diatoms) in relation to some ecological factors. Doctoral Thesis. Department of Systematic Botany, University of Lund, Sweeden. LUNDS/(NBBS-1006).
ter Braak, C. F. J., and Šmilauer, P. (1998). CANOCO Reference Manual and User’s Guide to CANOCO for Windows: Software for Canonical Community Ordination (version 4). Microcomputer Power, Ithaca, New York.
Venturini, N., Muniz, P., and Rodriguez, M. (2004). Macrobenthic subtidal communities in relation to sediment pollution: a test of the applicability of the phylum-level meta-analysis approach in a southeastern coastal region of South America. Marine Biology 144, 119–126.
| Macrobenthic subtidal communities in relation to sediment pollution: a test of the applicability of the phylum-level meta-analysis approach in a southeastern coastal region of South America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXpvVKqsr4%3D&md5=82fcd226a9cf851632569538a44d067dCAS |
Venturini, N., Pita, A. L., Brugnoli, E., García-Rodríguez, F., Burone, L., Kandratavicius, L., Hutton, H., and Muniz, P. (2012). Benthic trophic status of sediments in a metropolitan area (Rio de la Plata estuary): Linkages with natural and human pressures. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 112, 139–152.
| Benthic trophic status of sediments in a metropolitan area (Rio de la Plata estuary): Linkages with natural and human pressures. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf ScienceCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsVartrzE&md5=08042815f6e586f47b7331b2e457c68eCAS |