Anthropogenic Impacts on The Morphological Evolution of The Pacoti Estuary, Northeast Brazil

Abstract

The problem of anthropogenic occupation on the banks of estuaries and rivers has been a factor of concern and frequently addressed around the world. In the State of Ceará, this problem has been persistent, despite the reasonable environmental legislation dealing with this issue. Along the Pacoti River Estuary, this problem was addressed in this study and added to the analysis of the wind action in the evolution of this coastal environment. Thus, direct and indirect methods were applied, mainly based on field work and remote sensing based in the use of tools from a GIS platform. The results show persistent and continuous participation of aeolian activity, notably dunes migration, in the evolution process of this estuary. Additionally, human interference over 63 years, whether in the form of exploitation of natural resources and/or urban occupation on the banks of the estuary and in the possible area of expansion of this environment, has produced serious environmental damage and restricted the natural area of this important coastal ecosystem. This process of environmental degradation was largely accelerated from the occupation of the area to the east of the estuary by the Beach Park development, and to the west by the Alphaville Residential Condominium.