Research line:

Coastal zone

Considering that Chile’s major cities are in the coastal zone, this research line seeks to determine the impact of climate change on these socio-natural territories.

For the 2024-2025 period, the research line is committed to a comprehensive approach, delving deeper into the physical and biogeochemical coastal processes at various spatiotemporal scales. From a socio-ecological perspective, this approach will focus on understanding the drivers, impacts, risks, and feedback.

Efforts are directed toward understanding the co-variability between coastal upwelling and the oxygen minimum zone in Chile, particularly with hypoxia (lack of oxygen) events. The dynamics of ice melt and its connection with atmospheric processes are also studied, which is crucial for studying the impacts of climate change on the Antarctic ice sheet and sea level rise.

Work is being done on the research and characterization of extreme events, such as harmful algal blooms and marine heat waves, through in situ and remote observations and the use of coupled regional numerical models (atmosphere-ocean waves).

The research line is dedicated to bringing its findings to the local scale, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts, risks, and processes of coastal communities in building resilience. Moreover, it seeks to identify potential coastal climate refugia, offering practical solutions based on current environmental variability, future scenarios, and potential services to protect against future climate risks.

Review the research achievements of this line in our institutional report.

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Título	Autores	Línea de Investigación	Año	DOI	Abstract	Revista	ISSN	Acceso	Páginas	Volumen	Index	Key Words
Greenhouse gases, nutrients and the carbonate system in the Reloncaví Fjord (Northern Chilean Patagonia): Implications on aquaculture of the mussel, Mytilus chilensis, during an episodic volcanic eruption	Yevenes, Mariela A.; Lagos, Nelson A.; Farías, Laura; Vargas, Cristian A.	Zonas Costeras	2019.0	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.037	This study investigates the immediate and mid-term effects of the biogeochemical variables input into the Reloncaví fjord (41°40′S; 72°23′O) as a result of the eruption of Calbuco volcano. Reloncaví is an estuarine system supporting one of the largest mussels farming production within Northern Chilean-Patagonia. Field-surveys were conducted immediately after the volcanic eruption (23–30 April 2015), one month (May 2015), and five months posterior to the event (September 2015). Water samples were collected from three stations along the fjord to determine greenhouse gases [GHG: methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O)], nutrients [NO 3 − , NO 2 − , PO 4 3− , Si(OH) 4 , sulphate (SO 4 2− )], and carbonate systems parameters [total pH (pHT), temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (O 2 ), and total alkalinity (AT)]. Additionally, the impact of physicochemical changes in the water column on juveniles of the produced Chilean blue mussel, Mytilus chilensis, was also studied. Following the eruption, a large phytoplankton bloom led to an increase in pH T , due to the uptake of dissolved-inorganic carbon in photic waters, potentially associated with the runoff of continental soil covered in volcanic ash. Indeed, high surface SO 4 2− and GHG were observed to be associated with river discharges. No direct evidence of the eruption was observed within the carbonate system. Notwithstanding, a vertical pattern was observed, with an undersaturation of aragonite (Ω Ar < 1) both in brackish surface (<3 m) and deep waters (>10 m), and saturated values in subsurface waters (3 to 7 m). Simultaneously, juvenile mussel shells showed maximized length and weight at 4 m depth. Results suggest a localized impact of the volcanic eruption on surface GHG, nutrients and short-term effects on the carbonate system. Optimal conditions for mussel calcification were identified within a subsurface refuge in the fjord. These specific attributes can be integrated into adaptation strategies by the mussel aquaculture industry to confront ocean acidification and changing runoff conditions. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.	Science of The Total Environment	0048-9697	https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0048969719310150	49-61	669.0	Thomson Reuters ISI	alkalinity, aquaculture, biomineralization, carbonation, dissolved oxygen, greenhouse gases, molluscs, nitrogen oxides, nutrients, runoff, sulfur compounds, surface discharges, adaptation strategies, aquaculture industry, chilean patagonian fjord, dissolved inorganic carbon, mussel farming, ocean acidifications, physico-chemical changes, volcanic event, volcanoes, calcium carbonate, carbonic acid, dissolved oxygen, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfate, surface water, carbonic acid, methane, nitrous oxide, sea water, adaptive management, biogeochemical cycle, carbonate system, chemical oceanography, greenhouse gas, mussel culture, nutrient, ocean acidification, volcanic eruption, alkalinity, aquaculture, article, biogeochemical cycle, chilean, estuary, greenhouse gas, mussel, mytilus chilensis, nonhuman, ph, physical chemistry, phytoplankton, priority journal, runoff, salinity, temperature, volcanic ash, volcano, water sampling, analysis, animal, aquaculture, body constitution, chemistry, chile, environmental monitoring, greenhouse gas, mytilus, physiology, season, volcano, calbuco volcano, chile, los lagos, reloncavi fjord, mytilus chilensis, mytilus edulis, animals, aquaculture, body constitution, carbonates, chile, environmental monitoring, greenhouse gases, methane, mytilus, nitrous oxide, nutrients, seasons, seawater, volcanic eruptions
Seasonal drought effects on the water quality of the Biobío River, Central Chile	Yevenes, Mariela A.; Figueroa, Ricardo; Parra, Oscar	Zonas Costeras	2018.0	10.1007/s11356-018-1415-6	Quantifying the effect of droughts on ecosystem functions is essential to the development of coastal zone and river management under a changing climate. It is widely acknowledged that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts, which can affect important ecosystem services, such as the regional supply of clean water. Very little is understood about how droughts affect the water quality of Chilean high flow rivers. This paper intends to investigate the effect of an, recently identified, unprecedented drought in Chile (2010–2015), on the Biobío River water quality, (36°45′–38°49′ S and 71°00′–73°20′ W), Central Chile. This river is one of the largest Chilean rivers and it provides abundant freshwater. Water quality (water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, chloride, sodium, nutrients, and trace metals), during the drought (2010–2015), was compared with a pre-drought period (2000–2009) over two reaches (upstream and downstream) of the river. Multivariate analysis and seasonal Mann-Kendall trend analyses and a Theil-Sen estimator were employed to analyze trends and slopes of the reaches. Results indicated a significant decreased trend in total suspended solids and a slightly increasing trend in water temperature and EC, major ions, and trace metals (chrome, lead, iron, and cobalt), mainly in summer and autumn during the drought. The reduced variability upstream suggested that nutrient and metal concentrations were more constant than downstream. The results evidenced, due to the close relationship between river discharge and water quality, a slightly decline of the water quality downstream of the Biobío River during drought period, which could be attenuated in a post-drought period. These results displayed that water quality is vulnerable to reductions in flow, through historical and emerging solutes/contaminants and induced pH mobilization. Consequently, seasonal changes and a progressive reduction of river flow affect the ecosystem functionality in this key Chilean river. The outcomes from this research can be used to improve how low flow conditions and the effects of a reduction in the river volume and discharge are assessed, which is the case under the scenario of more frequent drought periods.	Environmental Science and Pollution Research	0944-1344, 1614-7499	http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11356-018-1415-6	13844-13856	25	Thomson Reuters ISI	climate change, drought, ecosystem function, ecosystem service, river discharge, river flow, river management, seasonal variation, water quality, water supply, water temperature, biobio river, chile, analysis, chemistry, chile, drought, environmental monitoring, river, season, water pollutant, water quality, chile, droughts, environmental monitoring, rivers, seasons, water pollutants, chemical, water quality
Ideas and perspectives: A strategic assessment of methane and nitrous oxide measurements in the marine environment	Wilson, Samuel T.; Al-Haj, Alia N.; Bourbonnais, Annie; Frey, Claudia; Fulweiler, Robinson W.; Kessler, John D.; Marchant, Hannah K.; Milucka, Jana; Ray, Nicholas E.; Suntharalingam, Parvadha; Thornton, Brett F.; Upstill-Goddard, Robert C.; Weber, Thomas S.; Arévalo-Martínez, Damian L.; Bange, Hermann W.; Benway, Heather M.; Bianchi, Daniele; Borges, Alberto V.; Chang, Bonnie X.; Crill, Patrick M.; del Valle, Daniela A.; Farías, Laura; Joye, Samantha B.; Kock, Annette; Labidi, Jabrane; Manning, Cara C.; Pohlman, John W.; Rehder, Gregor; Sparrow, Katy J.; Tortell, Philippe D.; Treude, Tina; Valentine, David L.; Ward, Bess B.; Yang, Simon; Yurganov, Leonid N.	Zonas Costeras	2020.0	10.5194/bg-17-5809-2020	Abstract. In the current era of rapid climate change, accurate characterization of climate-relevant gas dynamics – namely production, consumption, and net emissions – is required for all biomes, especially those ecosystems most susceptible to the impact of change. Marine environments include regions that act as net sources or sinks for numerous climate-active trace gases including methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). The temporal and spatial distributions of CH4 and N2O are controlled by the interaction of complex biogeochemical and physical processes. To evaluate and quantify how these mechanisms affect marine CH4 and N2O cycling requires a combination of traditional scientific disciplines including oceanography, microbiology, and numerical modeling. Fundamental to these efforts is ensuring that the datasets produced by independent scientists are comparable and interoperable. Equally critical is transparent communication within the research community about the technical improvements required to increase our collective understanding of marine CH4 and N2O. A workshop sponsored by Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) was organized to enhance dialogue and collaborations pertaining to marine CH4 and N2O. Here, we summarize the outcomes from the workshop to describe the challenges and opportunities for near-future CH4 and N2O research in the marine environment.	Biogeosciences	1726-4189	https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/17/5809/2020/	5809-5828	17.0	Thomson Reuters ISI	biogeochemistry, gas exchange, marine ecosystem, methane, nitrous oxide, numerical model, strategic approach
The Chilean Tornado Outbreak of May 2019: Synoptic, mesoscale, and historical contexts	Vicencio, José; Rondanelli, Roberto; Campos, Diego; Valenzuela, Raúl; Garreaud, René; Reyes, Alejandra; Padilla, Rodrigo; Abarca, Ricardo; Barahona, Camilo; Delgado, Rodrigo; Nicora, Gabriela	Zonas Costeras; Agua y Extremos	2020.0	10.1175/BAMS-D-19-0218.1	Capsule An unprecedented tornado outbreak occurred in Southern Chile, with at least seven tornadoes reported over a period of 24 hours, causing substantial damage, dozens of injuries, and one fatality.	Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society	0003-0007, 1520-0477	https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/aop/BAMS-D-19-0218.1/BAMS-D-19-0218.1.xml	1-52		Thomson Reuters ISI	potential energy, storms, anecdotal evidences, convective available potential energies, lightning datum, low-level winds, mid-latitude storms, tornado outbreak, vorticity generation, western south america, tornadoes
A source of isotopically light organic carbon in a low-pH anoxic marine zone	Vargas, Cristian A.; Cantarero, Sebastian I.; Sepúlveda, Julio; Galán, Alexander; De Pol-Holz, Ricardo; Walker, Brett; Schneider, Wolfgang; Farías, Laura; D’Ottone, Marcela Cornejo; Walker, Jennifer; Xu, Xiaomei; Salisbury, Joe	Zonas Costeras	2021.0	10.1038/s41467-021-21871-4	Abstract Geochemical and stable isotope measurements in the anoxic marine zone (AMZ) off northern Chile during periods of contrasting oceanographic conditions indicate that microbial processes mediating sulfur and nitrogen cycling exert a significant control on the carbonate chemistry (pH, A T , DIC and p CO 2 ) of this region. Here we show that in 2015, a large isotopic fractionation between DIC and POC, a DIC and N deficit in AMZ waters indicate the predominance of in situ dark carbon fixation by sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification in addition to anammox. In 2018, however, the fractionation between DIC and POC was significantly lower, while the total alkalinity increased in the low-pH AMZ core, suggesting a predominance of heterotrophic processes. An isotope mass-balance model demonstrates that variations in the rates of sulfur- and nitrogen-mediated carbon fixation in AMZ waters contribute ~7–35% of the POC exported to deeper waters. Thus, dark carbon fixation should be included in assessments of future changes in carbon cycling and carbonate chemistry due to AMZ expansion.	Nature Communications	2041-1723	http://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21871-4	1604	12.0	Thomson Reuters ISI	carbon, carbonic acid, nitrogen, organic carbon, oxygen, sulfur, water, anoxic conditions, carbon fixation, carbonate system, denitrification, isotopic fractionation, organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, stable isotope, alkalinity, anaerobic ammonium oxidation, article, carbon cycling, carbon dioxide tension, carbon fixation, denitrification, fractionation, heterotrophy, inorganic nutrient, light, microbial community, ph, salinity, temperature, chile
Toward High-Resolution Vertical Measurements of Dissolved Greenhouse Gases (Nitrous Oxide and Methane) and Nutrients in the Eastern South Pacific	Troncoso, Macarena; Garcia, Gerardo; Verdugo, Josefa; Farías, Laura	Zonas Costeras	2018.0	10.3389/fmars.2018.00148	In this study, in situ, real-time and high-resolution vertical measurements of dissolved greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) and nutrients are reported for the eastern South Pacific (ESP); a region with marked zonal gradients, ranging from highly productive and suboxic conditions in coastal upwelling systems to oligotrophic and oxygenated conditions in the subtropical gyre. Four high-resolution vertical profiles for gases (N2O and CH4) and nutrients (NO−3 and PO3−4) were measured using a Pumped Profiling System (PPS), connected with a liquid degassing membrane coupled with Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) and a nutrient auto-analyzer, respectively. The membrane-CRDS system maintains a linear response over a wide range of gas concentrations, detecting N2O and CH4 levels as low as 0.0774 ± 0.0004 and 0.1011 ± 0.001 ppm, respectively. Continuous profiles for gases and nutrients were similar to those reported throughout the ESP, with pronounced N2O and CH4 peaks at the upper oxycline and at the base of the euphotic zone and pycnocline, respectively, in the coastal zone; but almost constant depth profiles in the subtropical gyre. Additionally, other vertical gas and nutrient structures were observed using continuous sampling, which would not have been detected by discrete sampling. Our results demonstrate that continuous measurements can be a potentially useful methodology for future GHGs cycle studies.	Frontiers in Marine Science	2296-7745	http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00148/full		5.0	Thomson Reuters ISI	continuous profiles, eastern south pacific, methane, nitrous oxide, nutrients
AOT Retrieval Procedure for Distributed Measurements With Low-Cost Sun Photometers: AOT RETRIEVAL METHOD FOR SUN PHOTOMETERS	Toledo, F.; Garrido, C.; Díaz, M.; Rondanelli, R.; Jorquera, S.; Valdivieso, P.	Zonas Costeras	2018.0	10.1002/2017JD027309	We propose a new application of inexpensive light-emitting diode (LED)-based Sun photometers, consisting of measuring the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) with high resolution within metropolitan scales. Previously, these instruments have been used at continental scales by the GLOBE program, but this extension is already covered by more expensive and higher-precision instruments of the AERONET global network. For this we built an open source two-channeled LED-based Sun photometer based on previous developments, with improvements in the hardware, software, and modifications on the calibration procedure. Among these we highlight the use of MODTRAN to characterize the effect introduced by using LED sensors in the AOT retrieval, an open design available for the scientific community and a calibration procedure that takes advantage of a CIMEL Sun photometer located within the city, enables the intercomparison of several LED Sun photometers with a common reference. We estimated the root-mean-square error in the AOT retrieved by the prototypes as 0.006 at the 564 nm and 0.009 at the 408 nm. This error is way under the magnitude of the AOT daily cycle variability measured by us in our campaigns, even for distances closer than 15 km. In addition to inner city campaigns, we also show aerosol-tracing applications by measuring AOT variations from the city of Santiago to the Andes glaciers. Measuring AOT at high spatial resolution in urban areas can improve our understanding of urban scale aerosol circulation, providing information for solar energy planning, health policies, and climatological studies, among others.	Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres	2169-897X	http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/2017JD027309	1113-1131	123	Thomson Reuters ISI	aeronet, aerosol, calibration, electrode, energy planning, glacier, metropolitan area, photometer, solar power, spatial resolution, urban area, andes, chile, metropolitana
Temporal Variability in Net Primary Production in an Upwelling Area off Central Chile (36°S)	Testa, Giovanni; Masotti, Italo; Farías, Laura	Zonas Costeras	2018.0	10.3389/fmars.2018.00179	The temporal variability of Net Primary Production (NPP) off central Chile (36°S, 73°W), an area subjected to seasonal coastal upwelling, was analyzed using monthly in situ 13C incubations within the photic zone, along with bio-oceanographic variables from a fixed time series station; and satellite NPP estimations (NPPE) from the Vertically Generalized Production Model between 2006 and 2015. NPP and NPPE rates varied from 0.03 to 18.29 and from 0.45 to 9.07 g C m−2 d−1, respectively. Both rates were fairly well correlated with each other (r2 = 0.61), but when these data were separated into two periods, higher r2 value was found during winter (r2 = 0.70) with respect to the rest of the year (r2 = 0.24); the latter correlation was partially due to increased weekly NPPE variability during active and relaxed upwelling events. NPP rates along with other biophysical variables allowed for a division of the annual cycle into three distinct periods: September to January (high productivity, mean integrated NPP rates of 4.0 g C m−2 d−1), February to March (intermediate productivity, mean integrated NPP rates of 1.4 g C m−2 d−1), and May to August (basal level, mean integrated NPP rates of 0.5 g C m−2 d−1). NPP appeared to be partially controlled by nutrient inputs, either from upwelling (September-April) and river discharge (May-August), maintaining high NPP rates throughout the entire year, with an annual mean NPP rate of 1.1 kg C m−2 yr−1. In this region, El Niño Southern Oscillation events did not appear to impact the NPP interannual variability.	Frontiers in Marine Science	2296-7745	https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00179/full		5.0	Thomson Reuters ISI	central chile, coastal upwelling, el niño southern oscillation, primary production rates, river discharge
Influence of Estuarine Water on the Microbial Community Structure of Patagonian Fjords	Tamayo-Leiva, Javier; Cifuentes-Anticevic, Jerónimo; Aparicio-Rizzo, Pilar; Arroyo, José Ignacio; Masotti, Italo; Díez, Beatriz	Zonas Costeras	2021.0	10.3389/fmars.2021.611981	Fjords are sensitive areas affected by climate change and can act as a natural laboratory to study microbial ecological processes. The Chilean Patagonian fjords (41–56°S), belonging to the Subantarctic ecosystem (46–60°S), make up one of the world’s largest fjord systems. In this region, Estuarine Water (EW) strongly influences oceanographic conditions, generating sharp gradients of oxygen, salinity and nutrients, the effects of which on the microbial community structure are poorly understood. During the spring of 2017 we studied the ecological patterns (dispersal and oceanographic factors) underlying the microbial community distribution in a linear span of 450 km along the estuarine-influenced Chilean Patagonian fjords. Our results show that widespread microbial dispersion existed along the fjords where bacterioplankton exhibited dependence on the eukaryotic phytoplankton community composition. This dependence was particularly observed under the low chlorophyll- a conditions of the Baker Channel area, in which a significant relationship was revealed between SAR11 Clade III and the eukaryotic families Pyrenomonadaceae (Cryptophyte) and Coccomyxaceae (Chlorophyta). Furthermore, dissolved oxygen and salinity were revealed as the main drivers influencing the surface marine microbial communities in these fjords. A strong salinity gradient resulted in the segregation of the Baker Channel prokaryotic communities from the rest of the Patagonian fjords. Likewise, Microbacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae and SAR11 Clade III, commonly found in freshwater, were strongly associated with EW conditions in these fjords. The direct effect of EW on the microbial community structure and diversity of the fjords exemplifies the significance that climate change and, in particular, deglaciation have on this marine region and its productivity.	Frontiers in Marine Science	2296-7745	https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.611981/full	611981	8.0	Thomson Reuters ISI	bacterioplankton, estuarine water, eukaryotic phytoplankton, microbial indicator, patagonian fjords, subantarctic
Fermentation and Anaerobic Oxidation of Organic Carbon in the Oxygen Minimum Zone of the Upwelling Ecosystem Off Concepción, in Central Chile	Srain, Benjamín M.; Sobarzo, Marcus; Daneri, Giovanni; González, Humberto E.; Testa, Giovanni; Farías, Laura; Schwarz, Alex; Pérez, Norma; Pantoja-Gutiérrez, Silvio	Zonas Costeras	2020.0	10.3389/fmars.2020.00533	We studied the dynamics of fermentation and anaerobic degradation of organic matter at a fixed station in the Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) within the Humboldt Current System off Concepción, central Chile. Products of the main anaerobic microbial reactions fermentation, denitrification, and reduction of Fe(OH)3 and SO42– were analyzed during laboratory incubations of OMZ waters. Fermentation of glucose and amino acids resulted in the production of volatile fatty acids, mainly acetate; these compounds were detected year-round in in situ water samples and were associated with high primary production rates and presence of O2-deficient waters at the sampling site. In contrast, whilst ethanol was produced from glucose fermentation by OMZ water microorganisms under laboratory conditions, it was not detected in the water column during the annual cycle. Evidence of acetate oxidation (which is thermodynamically feasible), with Fe(OH)3 as an electron acceptor, suggests that microbial activity could reduce solid-phase Fe carried by rivers using fermented metabolites in oxygen-depleted water, thus releasing dissolved bioavailable Fe. Here we present evidence for productivity-driven seasonality of biogeochemical cycles in the Humboldt system, supported by fermentation and anaerobic consumption of fermentation products oxidized by a variety of electron acceptors including NO3–, Fe(OH)3, and SO42–. Our results suggest that products of fermentation in the OMZ may provide a source of labile organics for advection to oxygenated waters of subantarctic origin during austral winter. Fermentation, anaerobic oxidation and associated advection of fermentation products are likely to be enhanced during the twenty-first century due both to temperature increase and decrease in dissolved O2 in the water column.	Frontiers in Marine Science	2296-7745	https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2020.00533/full	533	7.0	Thomson Reuters ISI	acetate, anaerobic respiration, chile, fermentation, oxygen minimum zone, south east pacific, volatile fatty acids

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