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Influence of riverine outputs on the physicochemical parameters of water on sandy beaches along the Venezuelan coast

Abstract:

The influence of riverine outputs on the coastal processes near sandy beaches was evaluated in Gulf Triste, Venezuela. The effects in Yaracuy and Aroa rivers on the temporary and spatial variations of the physicochemical parameters, nutrients and total suspended solids in coastal environments of sandy beaches, was investigated from September 2000 to December 2001. The behavior of Yaracuy and Aroa Rivers plumes was assessed using remote sensors. The two rivers differ in their physicochemical parameters. The plume impact area of both rivers in the coastal zone presented variations throughout the periods of survey, the major areas of impact occurred in the last quarters of years 2000 and 2001 (260.14 ± 121.97 and 208.67 ± 171.63 Km2, 1.64 and 1.32 times the coastal evaluated area, in the respective years). The physicochemical parameters related to riverine outputs showed differences between the sampling sites along the stretch of coastline studied. Furthermore, our findings showed a marked gradient of both riverine and marine influence along the coastline. We conclude that the contributions of the Yaracuy and Aroa rivers affect the physical-chemical parameters, which are expressed in a gradient of salinity variation, from estuarine localities (close to river mouths) up to localities with marine influence (farthest from river mouths).