GEOSCIENCES MEETING
B R A Z I L - T E X A S A &M U N I V E R S I T Y
SCIENCE AND EDUCATION INTERNATIONALIZATION
NUMERICAL MODELLING OF LONGSHORE CURRENT AND SHORELINE
CHANGES OF ESPIRITO SANTO STATE (BRAZIL)
Nery Contti Neto1, Eduardo Siegle2
1
2
[email protected] (Universidade de São Paulo)
[email protected] (Universidade de São Paulo)
Comprising almost 500 km of shoreline, Espirito Santo state is recently suffering a series of
coastal interventions due to its geographical position. Therefore, the construction of mainly
jetties and breakwaters has been interfering in the coastal processes resulting in beach erosion
and consequently damages to coastal structures. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the
longshore current patterns and associated shoreline changes. Methods to achieve the proposed
objectives combine the collection of historical data (aerial photographs) in situ data and the
application of a wave propagation numerical model. Sediment transport will be estimated
through conceptual (GSTAT – Grain Size Trend Analysis with Significance Test) and
numerical models (MIKE21). The wave climate for the region will be defined through results
extracted from the global wave generation model (NWW3 – NOAA). Recently (January
2012), superficial beach sediment samples have been collected along the coast with an
approximate interval of 1km between samples. After processing the results will provide
information about the grain size distribution and carbonate and heavy minerals
concentrations, which will serve as input data for the sediment transport models. Expected
results include the comparison of sediment transport trends with the historical information
about the recent coastal evolution along the Espírito Santo state coastline. These results can
certainly improve the knowledge about the coastal processes acting in the region and provide
a vulnerability map of the coastal region which may help in the regional coastal management.
March 26-29, 2012
Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco, Brazil
Abstract P-41