CONDICIONES FISICOQUÍMICAS DEL PUERTO DE ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, CON VISTAS A LA INSTALACIÓN DE UN SISTEMA DE BOMBEO POR ENERGÍA DEL OLEAJE (SIBEO). (Spanish)

Abstract

The Port of Ensenada, Baja California, is one of the most important in the Pacific coast of Mexico. It has experienced an increase of the anthropogenic activities in the last decades, which together with its limited circulation, has brought about possible changes in the physiochemical characteristics of its waters. The main objective of the present work is the spatial and seasonal characterization of the physiochemical parameters of the waters of the port to install a Wave Energy Pump System (SIBEO). The investigation was carried out in 18 stations, with a quarterly frequency and the parameters were: temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients (ammonium, nitrates + nitrites, phosphates and silicates), chlorophyll "a" and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results indicated that the thermohaline structure of the port was similar to that of the Bay of Todos Santos and it was associated to seasonal cycles, with the highest temperatures in summer (22 °C) and lowest in autumn (16 °C). The spatial and seasonal distribution of nutrients and organic matter was due to several factors, that is: waste disposal, resuspension of sediments and existence of cyclonal turns in front of the jetties of cruises and containers. Particularly, in November, the hypoxic conditions (<3 ml/L) and the highest contents in ammonium (19.0 µM), nitrates + nitrites (3.1 µM), phosphates (2.8 µM), silicates (12 µM) and DQO (28 mgO2/L) in the northern area, reflected a bigger to smaller gradient from the northern area toward the mouth. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]