Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Playa-Lakes and Yardangs in the Bujaraloz-Sástago Endorheic Area, Central Ebro Basin

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Landscapes and Landforms of Spain

Part of the book series: World Geomorphological Landscapes ((WGLC))

Abstract

The Bujaraloz-Sástago endorheic area occurs on an exhumed structural platform in the central sector of the Ebro Cenozoic Basin, essentially underlain by subhorizontally lying gypsiferous and mudstone units with some limestones. The dominantly flat topography of this structural surface is interrupted by around 150 closed depressions, some of which host playa-lakes of outstanding ecological and geomorphological value. The origin of the depressions is related to subsurface dissolution of the gypsiferous bedrock and aeolian deflation caused by the strong local wind, called Cierzo. The leeward side of the largest playas displays yardangs carved on bedrock and unconsolidated Holocene lake terrace deposits. These are the only yardangs documented in Europe so far. Modern and relict lunette dunes also occur on the downwind margin of some playa-lakes. Lacustrine terraces preserved on the margins of the largest basins record alternating periods of aggradation and excavation, attributable to more humid and drier periods, respectively. The available radiocarbon dates from the most extensive terrace, allow us to infer deepening of the largest playa (La Playa) by wind erosion of 6 m over the last 2 ka, yielding an average lowering rate of ca. 3 mm/year. This figure compares well with those calculated in several arid regions of the world, mainly using yardangs carved in Holocene lake deposits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson RY, Allen BD, Menking KM (2002) Geomorphic expression of abrupt climate change in southwestern North America at the glacial termination. Quatern Res 57:371–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balsa J, Pascual ML, Guerrero MC, Montes C (1991) Las saladas de Bujaraloz-Sátago y la Salada de Chiprana: Riqueza natural de Aragón. Empelte 7:3–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyé M, Marmier F, Nelson C, Trécolle G (1978) Le dépots de la Sebka Mellala. Rev Géomorphol Dynam 27:49–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Castañeda C (2002) El agua de las saladas de Monegros sur estudiada con datos de campo y de satélite. Gobierno de Aragón. Publicación del Consejo de Protección de la Naturaleza 35, Zaragoza, 158 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Castañeda C, Herrero J, Casterad MA (2005) Facies identification within the playa-lake of the Monegros desert, Spain, from field and satellite data. Catena 63:39–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conesa JA, Castañeda C, Pedrol J (2011) Las saladas de Monegros y su entorno. Publicaciones del Consejo de Protección de la Naturaleza de Aragón, Zaragoza, 540 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke R, Warren A, Goudie A (1993) Desert geomorphology. UCL Press, London, 526 p

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Vera MA (1996) Hidrogeología de zonas endorreicas en climas semiáridos. Aplicación a Los Monegros (Zaragoza y Huesca). Diputación General de Aragón, Zaragoza, 297 p

    Google Scholar 

  • González-Sampériz P, Valero-Garcés BL, Moreno A, Morellón M, Navas A, Machín J, Delgado-Huertas A (2008) Vegetation changes and hydrological fluctuations in the Central Ebro Basin (NE Spain) since the Late Glacial period: Saline lake records. Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology 259:157–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goudie AS (1999) Wind erosional landforms: yardangs and pans. In: Goudie AS, Livingstone I, Stokes S (eds) Aeolian environments, sediments and landforms. Wiley, Chichester, pp 167–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Goudie AS (2007) Mega-yardangs: a global analysis. Geogra Compass 1:65–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goudie AS, Wells GL (1995) The nature, distribution and formation of pans in arid zones. Earth Sci Rev 38:1–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goudie A, Stokes S, Cook J, Samieh S, El-Rashidi OA (1999) Yardang landforms from Kharga Oasis, south-western Egypt. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie Supplementband 116:97–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez M (2013) Geomorphology. CRC Press-Balkema, Leiden, 1017 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Valero-Garcés B, Desir G, González-Sampériz P, Gutiérrez M, Linares R, Zarroca M, Moreno A, Guerrero J, Roqué C, Arnold LJ, Demuro M (2013) Late Holocene evolution of playa lakes in the central sector of the Ebro Depression based on geophysical surveys and morpho-stratigraphic analysis of lacustrine terraces. Geomorphology 169:177–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez-Elorza M, Desir G, Gutiérrez-Santolalla F (2002) Yardangs in the semiarid central sector of the Ebro Depression (NE Spain). Geomorphology 44:155–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halimov M, Fezer F (1989) Eight yardang types in Central Asia. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 33:205–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedin S (1903) Central Asia and Tibet. Scribners, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hills ES (1940) The lunette, a new landform of Aeolian origin. Aust Geogr 3:15–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laity JE (1994) Landforms of eolian origin. In: Abrahams AD, Parsom AJ (eds) Geomorphology of desert environments. Chapman Hall, London, pp 506–535

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Laity JE (2008) Deserts and desert environments. Willey-Blackwell, Chichester, 342 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu D, Abuduwaili J, Lei J, Wu G, Gui D (2011) Wind erosion of saline playa sediments and its ecological effects in Ebinur Lake, Xinjiang, China. Environ Earth Sci 63:241–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone I, Warren A (1996) Aeolian geomorphology: an introduction. Longman, Essex, 211 p

    Google Scholar 

  • López PL, Auqué L, Mandado J, Vallès V, Gimeno MJ, Gómez J (1999) Determinación de la secuencia de precipitación salina en la Laguna La Playa (Zaragoza, España). I. Condiciones de equilibrio mineral y simulación teórica del proceso. Revista de la Sociedad Geológica de España 55:27–44

    Google Scholar 

  • McCauley J, Grolier M, Breed C (1977) Yardangs of Peru and other desert regions. USGS Interagency Rep., Astrogeology 81:177 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Mingarro F, Ordóñez S, López de Azcona MC, García del Cura MA (1981) Sedimentoquímica de las lagunas de los Monegros y su entorno geológico. Boletín Geológico y Minero 92–93:171–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Pueyo JJ (1978/1979) La precipitación evaporítica actual en las lagunas saladas del área: Bujaraloz, Sástago, Caspe, Alcañiz y Calanda (provincias de Zaragoza y Teruel). Revista del Instituto de Investigaciones Geológicas. Diputación Provincial de Barcelona 33: 5–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Pueyo JJ, Inglés M (1987) Substrate mineralogy, interstitial brine composition and diagenetic processes in the playa lakes of Los Monegros and Bajo Aragón (Spain). In: Rodríguez-Clemente R, Tardy Y (eds) Geochemistry and mineral formation in the Earth surface, pp 351–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Puicercús JA, Valero A, Navarro J, Terrén R, Zubiaur R, Martín F, Iniesta G (1997) Atlas Eólico de Aragón. Gobierno de Aragón, Zaragoza, 127 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Quirantes J (1965) Notas sobre las lagunas de Bujaraloz-Sástago. Geographica 12:30–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Quirantes J (1978) Estudio sedimentológico y estratigráfico del Terciario continental de los Monegros. Instituto Fernando El Católico, Zaragoza, 200 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez JI (1997) Mapa Geológico de España a Escala 1:50000. Gelsa (413). Instituto Tecnológico Geominero de España, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodó X, Baert E, Comín FA (1997) Variations in seasonal rainfall in Southern Europe during the present century: relationships with the North Atlantic Oscillations and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Clim Dyn 13:275–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen MR (1994) The importance of groundwater in playas: a review of playa classifications and the sedimentology and hydrology of playas. In: Rose MR (ed) Paleoclimate and basin evolution of playa systems. Geological Society of America Special Paper, vol 289. pp 1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvany JM, García Vera MA, Samper J (1994) Influencia del sustrato terciario en el emplazamiento del complejo lagunar de Bujalaroz (Monegros, Cuenca del Ebro). Actas II Congr. Esp. Terciario, Jaca, pp 271–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvany JM, García Vera MA, Samper J (1996) Geología e hidrogeología de la zona endorreica de Bujaraloz-Sástago (Los Monegros, provincia de Zaragoza y Huesca). Acta Geológica Hispánica 30:31–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Samper-Calvete FJ, García-Vera MA (1998) Inverse modelling of groundwater flow in the semiarid evaporitic closed basin of Los Monegros, Spain. Hydrogeol J 6:33–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Navarro JA, Pérez A, Coloma P, Martínez-Gil FJ (1998) Combined effects of groundwater and aeolian processes in the formation of the northernmost closed saline depressions of Europe, north-east Spain. Hydrol Process 12:813–820

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sebe K, Csillag G, Ruszkiczay-Rüdiger Z, Fodor L, Thamó-Bozsó E, Müller P, Braucher R (2011) Wind erosion under cold climate: a Pleistocene periglacial mega-yardang system in Central Europe (Western Pannonian Basin, Hungary). Geomorphology 143:470–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solá J, Costa JM (1997) Mapa Geológico de España a Escala 1:50,000, Bujaraloz (414). Instituto Tecnológico Geominero de España, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokes WL (1968) Multiple parallel-truncation bedding planes. A feature of wind deposited sandstone formation. J Sediment Petrol 38:510–515

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas DSG (1988) The biogeomorphology of arid and semiarid environments. In: Viles A (ed) Biogeomorphology. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 193–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Washington R, Todd MC, Lizcano G, Tegen I, Flamant C, Koren I, Ginoux P, Engelstaedter S, Bristow CS, Zender CS, Goudie AS, Warren A, Prospero JM (2006) Links between topography, wind, deflation, lakes and dust: the case of the Bodélé Depression, Chad. Geophys Res Lett 33:L09401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams GE (1970) Piedmont sedimentation and late quaternary chronology in the Biskra region of the northern Sahara. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplementband 10:40–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Yechieli Y, Wood WW (2002) Hydrogeologic processes in saline systems: playas, sebkhas, and saline lakes. Earth Sci Rev 58:343–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by the Spanish national project CGL2010-16775 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and FEDER) and the Regional project 2012/GA-LC-021 (DGA-La Caixa).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    F. Gutiérrez & M. Gutiérrez

Authors
  1. F. Gutiérrez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Gutiérrez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Gutiérrez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Earth Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Francisco Gutiérrez

  2. Earth Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Mateo Gutiérrez

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gutiérrez, F., Gutiérrez, M. (2014). Playa-Lakes and Yardangs in the Bujaraloz-Sástago Endorheic Area, Central Ebro Basin. In: Gutiérrez, F., Gutiérrez, M. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of Spain. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8628-7_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation