Morphology and dynamics of large subtidal dunes in Bahia Blanca estuary, Argentina

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to carry out a detailed analysis of subtidal dune morphology and temporal variability and to estimate dune migration rate to improve knowledge of this topic, and so enhance the existing data on different marine environments in the world and especially in South America where this information is limited. Two swath bathymetry surveys were conducted across a dune field in the Bahia Blanca Estuary (Argentina). Morphometric parameters and migration rate according to the dune type, were analyzed. The field is composed of large dunes exhibiting two morphological configurations, which are differentiated into sinuous and barchan dunes. The dunes studied are the largest of the estuary, with heights and wavelengths greater than 5 m and 130 m, respectively. The crests of the large dunes are arranged with an orientation perpendicular to the axis of the channel. From geometrical analysis of the parameters, the dunes show a weakly positive correlation between dune height and wavelength as too between dune height and water depth. No clear relationship was observed between maximum height and wavelength parameters with water depth. Across the estuary, the bedforms migrate in the ebb direction, with mean rate of 43m year−1. Comparison of our results with previous data shows that during three decades the western boundary of dune field has been displaced 900 m towards the outer estuary, however the dune field configuration and distribution of diverse types of bedform appear to be relatively stable.