Dinâmica morfológica da planície costeira do Estado do Piauí: evolução, comportamento dos processos costeiros e a variação da linha de costa

Abstract

Coastal plain of Piauí State (located in the Brazil northeast) is a landscape coastal composed by variety of geomorphological distinct features as low sandy beaches, sandstone reefs, estuarine and marine complexes systems, coastal lagoons, tidal plains, sandy spits, extensive sand dunes, deltaic plain and others features. These features result of the combined action of waves, coastal currents, fluvial action, sea level variation and climatic and meteorological factors that over geological time left printed this setting on coastal landscape. This area also includes part of the Delta do Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area with a length of approximately 66 km covering the municipalities of Cajueiro da Praia, Luís Correia, Parnaíba and Ilha Grande de Santa Isabel. This area deserves attention for its environmental and socioeconomic importance because of the natural diversity environments that allowing the execution of many activities such as fishing, mineral extraction, aquaculture, urbanization, tourism and others. This thesis debate about the coastal and morphological dynamics on the Piauí coastal plain beaches. Discuss the variables that control the active coastal processes, with the primary objective understand of the relationship between this variables behavior and human interventions forms. To develop the research were initially raised area information (maps, charts, reports, documents and researchs). Then were defined monitoring cells (where were realized four campaigns per year for two years) which topographical profiles, collection and analysis of sediments, collection of wave climate data, identifying of sea level change indicators and identifying of vulnerability to coastal erosion indicators. Based on the hydrodynamics, sedimentology and morphology data were applied four morphodynamics parameters classification (RTR and Omega, Delta, Beach Index, Surf Scale Parameter Measurement). The different morphodynamic ratings denote the predominance of intermediate stages to the Piauí beaches generally trend to dissipative beaches with submerged banks and bars. RTR and Ômega and Delta parameters were the parameters that most came closer to reality Piauí beaches. In the use of other parameters ocurred the integration of differentiated intermediate beaches in the same group. This area presents many indicators of vulnerability to erosion, however these usually have causes associated by natural constraints. 50% of Piauí coastal beaches are high risk to erosion associated with natural causes. 40.9% are classified as medium risk erosion which as the beaches of low occupancy and seasonal use. 4.5% has very low erosion risk, which is more secluded beaches and 4.5% who already has very high erosion risk associated with anthropogenic factors with natural factors contribution. So brief process mitigation decisions is necessary. Behavior of sediment flow in the coast region and setting denotes that the area is usually a "sink" for coastal sediments. The beaches located in the Western portion (Ilha Grande), near the front delta receive influences the Parnaíba river discharge, with accretion of the extent of cross-section of the beach and increased volume in longitudinal profile. The rates of change of the coastline between 1987 and 2010 showed variations occurring mainly in river mouths and along the reefs or rocky spits. But erosion associated with human activities along the area's natural sensibilities are already observed in the Coqueiro and Pedra do Sal beaches, with damage to urban structures. So even with predominance of natural causes for indicators of vulnerability to erosion there must be spatial growth and development of the region so that we pursue balanced development respecting the sensitivities of the coastal environment.