Aproximación al balance energético nocturno invernal de la playa del río Quequén Grande

Abstract

Se realiza una investigación del balance energético nocturno invernal en las playas y estuario del río Quequén Grande. Para ello se realizaron mediciones de temperatura en los sedimentos a distintas profundidades, en el agua y en el aire. Para el cálculo de los flujos turbulentos se utilizaron las fórmulas aerodinámicas de masa. Con las temperaturas observadas se calculó el coeficiente de difusividad térmica. Su valor resultó comparable con aquellos publicados en la literatura. Los gradientes verticales de temperatura del sedimento fueron importantes, a pesar de ser condiciones nocturnas e invernales. Estos son significativamente modificados por la inundación de la marea. Los flujos del calor del suelo y la evaporación resultaron las componentes más importantes del balance de energía en presencia de viento en la playa, mientras que con condiciones de calma el flujo radiativo adquirió mayor relevancia. El balance energético en el agua fue considerablemente menor.

An investigation about the balance energy flux was carried out in the beaches of the Quequén Grande River Estuary. Measurements of temperature of air, water and sediment at different levels were obtained. The bulk aerodynamical formulas were used in the calculation of the turbulent fluxes. The thermal diffusivity was calculated from the observations. The value was comparable to others published in the literature. Vertical temperature gradients in the sediment were significant, even though the measurements were performed during the night and in winter time. The sediment thermal gradients were significantly modified by the tidal inundation. Soil and latent heat flux were the most important components of the balance equation for the beach under windy conditions. However, the radiative flux was important with calm weather conditions. The energy balance components in the water were smaller than in the beach ones.