Thesis
HIDROGRAFÍA EN BAHÍA DE LA PAZ Y ZONA OCEÁNICA ADYACENTE (2009)
Autor
GUEVARA GUILLÉN, CRISTÓBAL
Institución
Resumen
ABSTRACT
The present study analyzes some hydrographic conditions to describe seasonal variation of Bahía de La Paz and adjacent area of the Gulf of California during 2009. This research also shows the interaction of these two bodies of water and the influence that has the southern gulf phenomena over the bay. The research was done with CTD in situ data and satellite imagery from AVHRR and SeaWiFS sensors. There was a marked variation of the analyzed parameters that is characteristic of the different seasons of the year. The water column during spring and summer presented a strong stratification of temperature and salinity inside and outside the bay, due to the solar radiation conditions and light winds that dominate in those periods. In autumn the mixed layer presented the deepest value of the year, reaching 60 m, probably generated by the intense and persistent winds of that season. During winter the water column presented stratification conditions in the superficial layer, were no mixed layer was detected. The satellite images showed that the cold season was dominated by strong continental upwellings in the Gulf of California. The gyres generated in the gulf conveyed their properties to the bay area, while in the warm period an intrusion of water of the gulf was detected toward the deep part of the bay through Boca Norte. Moreover, the T-S diagrams revealed the presence of Gulf of California Water and Subtropical Subsurface Water in the winter, while in spring they showed a decrease in salinity due to the presence of the Equatorial Surface Water. In the summer Bahía de La Paz and its adjacent area of the Gulf of California water registered the strongest influence by the gulf, with the lowest salinity values. Finally there were three cyclonic gyres in the studied area during the spring observed with the satellite images and the in situ data. With the obtained data it was concluded that the study area has a marked seasonality and the Gulf of California has an important influence over the hydrographic conditions of Bahía de la Paz, that can be measured both with in situ data and satellite images.