INVENTORY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EROSIVE FORMS IN THE BARBANTIÑO RIVER (MIÑO BASIN, GALICIA, NW PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32435/envsmoke/xibesymp.2

Keywords:

Bedrock River, Pothole, Furrow, Heritage, Iberian Massif, Barbantiño River, Galicia

Abstract

The existence of forms sculpted by fluvial erosion is frequent in Bedrock Rivers. Since 1999, the Area of Physical Geography of the University of Vigo (Ourense Campus) has been conducting research on these rock cavities in various reaches of the middle Miño River. The exploratory study that is presented corresponds to the case of a section upstream of the Barbantiño river waterfall (Ourense, Galicia). Carried out within the framework of a research line with the objectives of inventorying, characterizing, interpreting and evaluating the erosive forms in the rocky channels of the Miño River and its tributaries, the employed methodology included phases of field work, creation of a database, and statistical analysis. From the records in the sampled sectors of the Barbantiño River, an inventory was made with 60 erosive forms, considering quantitative variables (measurements of length, width, depth) and qualitative variables (morphology of the bottom, state of the walls, and presence of deposits). The preliminary results of the exploratory analysis provide new information on the sculpted forms in bedrock, allowing comparison with previous studies. The erosive forms of the studied section are characterized by great variability in their depth (between 2 cm and 2.7 m), length (between 7 cm and 2.5 m) and width (between 4 cm and 2 m); the strong correlation between surface and bottom dimensions (Spearman's r> 0.85); and the coexistence of cavities in an incipient state, furrows and potholes. These results contribute to the advancement of knowledge of a natural legacy that is part of the geodiversity of the Miño River basin, with a complex of values associated with its condition of geomorphological heritage.

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Author Biographies

Elena de Uña-Álvarez, Universidade de Vigo, Grupo GEAAT, Ourense, Spain

Licenciada en Geografía, Doctora en Geografía Física. Área de Geografía Física, Grupo GEAAT, Campus de Ourense, Universidade de Vigo

Miguel Ángel Álvarez-Vázquez, Universidade de VigoGrupo GEAAT, Ourense, Spain

Licenciado en Ciencias Ambientales, Doctor en Ciencias Ambientales. Área de Geografía Física, Grupo GEAAT, Campus de Ourense, Universidade de Vigo

Maria Luz Rodríguez-Blanco, Universidade de Vigo, Grupo GEAAT, Ourense, Spain

Licenciada en Biología, Doctora en Biología. Área de Geografía Física, Grupo GEAAT, Campus de Ourense, Universidade de Vigo

Alexandra Maria Ramírez-Pérez, Universidade de Vigo, Grupo GEAAT, Ourense, Spain

Licenciada en Ciencias Ambientales, Doctora en Ciencias Ambientales. Área de Geografía Física, Grupo GEAAT, Campus de Ourense, Universidade de Vigo

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Published

2021-12-31

How to Cite

de Uña-Álvarez, E., Álvarez-Vázquez, M. Ángel, Rodríguez-Blanco, M. L., & Ramírez-Pérez, A. M. (2021). INVENTORY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EROSIVE FORMS IN THE BARBANTIÑO RIVER (MIÑO BASIN, GALICIA, NW PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA). Environmental Smoke, (Special Issue), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.32435/envsmoke/xibesymp.2