Temporal and Spatial Variability Scales of Salinity at a Large Microtidal Estuary

The Río de la Plata is a large fluvial–estuarine–sea system discharging into the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, which has relevant features such as high fluvial discharge, microtidal astronomical tidal scales, meteorological tide, and strong atmospheric forcing effect, due to its width. objective of this study advance understanding estuarine hydrodynamics salt transport, well discussing main characteristics spatiotemporal variability salinity field. To achieve this, results 3D model maritime front were used, simulating an extensive period 10 years. In study, was validated using vertical profiles collected at different locations in estuary. temporal stratification characterised scales: annual, monthly, storm. At same time, influences flow winds determined. correlation analysis between field showed that annual flows generate extension freshwater area, with larger longitudinal gradients shift towards ocean. tendency monthly scale not clear observed scale. show effect storm coming from northwest quite similar storms southwest, especially central southern zones Plata, where mixing increases decreases, according intensity south–southeasterly process reduces stratification; opposite identified respect northeasterly storms, under influence stratified area increases. Synthesising obtained results, global zonification for proposed.