Short-term variability in sedimentary and compositional properties of two beaches in Tenerife (Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean).

Abstract

The beaches of Los Abrigos del Porís (SE Tenerife) and Los Cristianos (SW Tenerife) were sampled monthly throughout a year (May 2000-April 2001) in two sampling stations (intertidal and shallow subtidal). Sedimentary variables (grain size, organic matter, carbonates and total nitrogen) have been analyzed monthly during the study period. Rather low values of total nitrogen (< 0.015%) were found in the two localities and the content of carbonates varied largely between the two sampling locations, showing low percentages in Los Abrigos del Porís (< 7%) and high cocentrations in Los Cristianos (> 15%) because of their different geologic origin (volcanic vs organogenic). The organic matter content was characterised by low-to-intermediate values in both localities. Sediments were dominated by medium sands in the intertidal sampling station of Los Abrigos del Porís and the remaining sampling stations were dominated by fine sands. Multivariate analyses showed differences between the intertidal of Los Abrigos del Porís and the rest of sampling stations.