Análise comparativa da temperatura e da salinidade das águas em pântano de mangal degradado e não degradado na ilha da Xefina pequena

Abstract

Temperature and salinity are some of the oceanographic parameters used to identify bodies of water. In the present degree work, water temperature and salinity were compared in degraded mangrove swamp and non-degraded mangrove swamp. The values of temperature and salinity in the two mangrove swamps were observed using a salinometer, and the observations were made during high tides because only in this period there was water in the swamps. From the observed results, temperature is the parameter that showed the most differences, that is, the water temperature in the degraded mangrove was higher than the water temperature in the non-degraded mangrove. The main cause verified in the increase of water temperature in the degraded mangrove compared to the non-degraded mangrove is the direct incidence of radiation in the degraded mangrove. Salinity did not show major differences, that is, in most cases the salinity recorded in the two mangrove swamps was the same. The differences recorded were associated with the entry of fresh water from the drainage of the Incomati River, and the precipitation that caused a dilution of the ocean waters. The work had as study area the island of Xefina Pequena located about 20 km from the city of Maputo. Field observations took place in November, December 2003 and January 2004.