Abstract

CARTAYA, Scarlet  and  MENDEZ, Williams. Geomorphologic Model Of A Tropical Estuary In The Caribbean Region: The Mouth Of The Hueque River, East Coast Of The Falcon State, Venezuela. Investigación y Postgrado [online]. 2005, vol.20, n.1, pp.143-174. ISSN 1316-0087.

The main purpose of this article is to establish a geomorphologic model that synthesizes the dynamics of the estuary system at the mouth of the Hueque River. To develop the model a field study was conducted to collect and measure samples of sediments within the identified depositional environments. Simultaneously other measurements, including beach incline, tides and swell, were carried out. Physical and chemical parameters of the water were measured: temperature, pH, electric conductivity, transparency, and salinity. The laboratory work was based on analysis of textures, carbonates, organic matter, heavy minerals and mineralogy by X-ray diffraction of the sediment samples. Other types of data that was analyzed included, climate, drainage, tides, and swell. In addition, a detail photographic interpretation of the area was done. The Hueque River estuary behaves similarly to a tidal stream with mixed, non-stratified waters, strong tendency to hypersalinity and neutral pH or slightly basic. Based on the factors and implied processes, the sedimentary characteristics of the depositional environments and the development and evolution of the area, it was concluded that the mouth of the Hueque River can be define as a recent estuary system.

Keywords : earth sciences; natural sciences; hydrology.