Beach Rotation Processes: 35 Month Survey of Embayed Beaches of Santa Catarina Brazil

• Published in: Journal of coastal research pp. 1752 - 1755
• Main Authors: Vintém, G., Freitas, M. P., Menezes, J. T., Klein, A. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Coastal Education & Research Foundation (CERF) 01.12.2006
• Subjects: Beaches; Erosion; Headlands; Sediments; Topographic surveys
• ISSN: 0749-0208; 1551-5036

The present work shows the beach rotation processes in two beaches of Santa Catarina State, named Praia Brava and Taquaras/Taquarinhas. These beaches have been monitored monthly since January 2000, totalizing 35 months of surveys by doing topographic profiles (beach profile) with a theodolite (slope method). Calculation of the morphologic variables (volume and width) and the time/space variations were performed using the survey data while wave climate information was acquired daily from the Internet model available at the CEPETEC/INPE site. During the survey period Brava and Taquaras/Taquarinhas beaches presented different patterns for sediment mobilization; beach rotation processes were clearly evident at Taquaras/Taquarinhas beach, where a magnitude of aproximately 35 meters of width was observed. Inverse patterns of erosion and deposition were observed between the extremities of the north/south axis of this beach; deposition periods in the northern extremity and respective erosion in the southern sector were verified during occurrence of strong southern and southeastern waves (146°-123° approach angle), respectivelly. Periods of erosion in the northern extremity and deposition in the southern extremity were verified during the occurrence of strong eastern and northeastern waves. The results obtained at Brava beach showed different response levels along the beach profiles and no significant volume and length variations evidenced beach rotation. This fact may be attributed to the different characteristics of this beach system (characteristic of intermediate beaches).