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Hydrochemical Characteristics of Mid-Low Sections of North Patagonia Rivers, Argentina

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Environmental Assessment of Patagonia's Water Resources

Part of the book series: Environmental Earth Sciences ((EESCI))

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Abstract

The chemical composition of water in the mid-low sections of the three main rivers of Patagonia (Colorado, Negro and Chubut rivers) is an important proxy for the understanding of the water cycle in the region. River water samplings were done in summer and winter campaigns at Colorado (15 sites), Negro (18 sites) and Chubut (17 sites). Hydrochemical variables: pH, conductivity, salinity, and ion concentrations were measured. The data processing included regular hydrochemical diagrams, multivariate statistical analysis and saturation indexes calculation. The three rivers have two different sections: one inland section having the continental hydrochemical fingerprint and an estuarine section, with a markedly seawater mixing effect. Most water samples of the inland sites belong to the Mg2+–Ca2+–HCO3− type in the Negro and Chubut rivers and to the Ca2+–SO42− type in the Colorado River. In contrast, the prevailing hydrochemical facies was the Na–Cl type at estuarine sites. In general, rock weathering was the main hydrogeochemical process controlling chemistry composition of rivers, being the dissolution of gypsum, carbonate and silicate minerals the primary contributors. The inland section has a different composition for each river, which is related to differences in the rock-composition at the sources and chemical reactions during downstream flow. The Colorado River also showed the highest average values in salinity, conductivity and dissolved ions. Basin geology and brackish discharges from Curacó River during the high rainfall season contributed to explain the ionic concentration in Colorado River, in particular the excess of calcium and sulfate.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge F. Isla, R. Fayó, J. Bedmar and M. Taglioretti for their assistance with field sampling, and G. Bernava for hydrochemical analysis. This study was funded by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica ANPCyT (grant number PICT 1146/16).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata/CIC, CC 722 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Camilo Vélez-Agudelo, Daniel E. Martínez, Orlando M. Quiroz-Londoño & Marcela A. Espinosa

  2. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Camilo Vélez-Agudelo, Daniel E. Martínez, Orlando M. Quiroz-Londoño & Marcela A. Espinosa

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  1. Camilo Vélez-Agudelo
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  2. Daniel E. Martínez
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  3. Orlando M. Quiroz-Londoño
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  4. Marcela A. Espinosa
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Correspondence to Daniel E. Martínez .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, CCT-CONICET CENPAT, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

    Américo Iadran Torres

  2. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra, CONICET. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina

    Verena Agustina Campodonico

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Vélez-Agudelo, C., Martínez, D.E., Quiroz-Londoño, O.M., Espinosa, M.A. (2021). Hydrochemical Characteristics of Mid-Low Sections of North Patagonia Rivers, Argentina. In: Torres, A.I., Campodonico, V.A. (eds) Environmental Assessment of Patagonia's Water Resources. Environmental Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89676-8_7

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