Changes of the coastline and morphological features in Cascavel County, Ceará State, Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims at studying the littoral morphodynamics stemming from the wave regime, swash and backwash processes and anthropic activities currently at work in the the study area comprised of a stretch of coastline at Cascavel County, Ceará State, Brazil.. Topo-hydrographic profiles, sediment sampling and textural analysis all along the year 2001 have been performed. The results were compared to the previous ones in na attempt to evaluate the state of the art of the coastal hydrodynamics processes and its relationship to the degeneration and/or regeneration of the coastline morphology together with its use and occupation. The beach zonation has been worked out, different compartments and three cells were calculated which allowed the definition of vulnerability inside in each one of the sectors. The progradation and inverse beach shift are thought to be cyclic processes, but wave refraction/diffraction, use of offroad vehicles, vandalism on the rigid structures and human occupation should be held accountable for most erosive processes, mainly around the Caponga Roseira creek’s mouth. Those results have conveyed the need to prevent inadequate utilization of the backshore, as it is nowadays taking place.