Author(s): Rosane Ferreira De Aquino; Newton De Oliveira Carvalho; Jose Maria Landim Dominguez
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Keywords: Sediment transport; Coastal zone; Erosion
Abstract: This study aims to present an estimate of the sediment yield in the Itapicuru river basin, which drains 36,440km2 and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, in the region called Costa dos Coqueiros, in the northern coast of the Bahia State, Brazil. Here are focused the basin aspects in the continent and their consequences in the coastal zone. The article presents, in summary, the area under study, its hydrological characterization (tributaries and existent dams), the geomorphology and the existent sedimentometric data. By baring in mind that the basin is located in the northeastern portion of Brazil, a semi-arid region, the low sediment yield is due to low rainfall, and the scarce water availability in the basin discourages land use. The sediment discharge observed in the basin is, basically, held inside the reservoirs at the same time that it may be slowly provoking changes in the coastal area adjacent to river mouth. Such aspect has triggered erosion in the coast, probably affecting the flux dynamics and the mouth environment.
Year: 2004