Should Anthropic Ridges Framed as Foredunes Be Considered Real Dunes?

Abstract

Aeolian features framed as foredunes worldwide, whose classification faces challenges to separate wave-formed from aeolian ridges, are relevant to the context of anthropic control. An example of this kind of morphology, previously classified as foredunes, is arranged along Brazil’s northeastern coast, and the pertinence of its classification as such or even as truly developed dunes was examined. To contribute to the debate on this issue, detailed geomorphological mapping was carried out through UAV and LIDAR surveys, in addition to the multitemporal study of satellite images and aerial photographs. Ground penetration radar sections, trenches, and particle size analysis were also conducted. Although the obliquity of wind direction to the coastline, this study’s main bedform of focus shows coast-parallel positioning conditioned by the exogenous vegetation previously inserted about 70 m from the high tide line. This morphology showed practically no migration for over 15 years; however, the wind breaks through the vegetation barrier and develops depositional lobes and V-shaped low crests protruding into the mainland. GPR sections reveal cross-strata sets with a high dip angle in only two aeolian sequences, one preceding exogenous vegetation introduction and the other in a contemporary layer, amidst the dominance of horizontal to sub-horizontal strata. The sediments are characteristically aeolian, with cross-strata and morphology resembling incipient protodunes and a few stretches at the lee slope highlighting characteristics of retention or precipitation dunes. There was little similarity to the foredunes compared to the other occurrences along the equatorial northeast coast; there was also an inconsistency in the correlation between the cross-strata and the morphological stage. In addition, the disconnection between the aeolian dynamics and morphogenetic process also differentiates it from regional foredunes. This morphology, therefore, presents aspects that are not characteristic of the classification of foredunes or the naturally formed dunes in the region and thus demands a classification to emphasize the anthropogenic character.