Abstract
Abstract. The Patos Lagoon estuary is a reservoir of fine sediments derived from the continental basin, which is exported to the coastal area through a narrow channel with average discharge of 2000 m3 s−1. The Port of Rio Grande is located in this connection channel between the Patos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, and recently received investments from the Brazilian Government to expand its draft and modify the configuration of the breakwaters located at the mouth. The objective of this study is to investigate changes in the fine sediment dynamics in the estuarine and coastal region, after the modernization work carried out at the Port of Rio Grande. The study was conducted using a three-dimensional numerical model (TELEMAC-3D) coupled with a sediment in suspension and morphological model (SediMorph). Results were analyzed in a comparative way in relation to the deposition pattern observed in these regions before and after the construction work. Results indicate that there was a change in the deposition pattern and redistribution of sediment at the bottom due to hydrodynamic changes resulting from the new configuration of the breakwaters and progressive deepening of the access channel.
Highlights
Estuaries and coastal regions are reservoirs of fine sediments derived from continental basins
The Patos Lagoon, located in southern Brazil (30◦ and 32◦ S latitude and 50◦ and 52◦ W longitude) (Fig. 1), is classified as a coastal choked lagoon (Kjerfve, 1986), connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow channel, which presents intermittent fine sediment exportation towards the continental shelf controlled by the continental discharge and meteorological forcing (Calliari et al, 2009)
The material exported by the Patos Lagoon reaches the coastal region through the coastal plume (Marques et al, 2010b) and, eventually, these sediments are deposited in the inner shelf and nearshore zone of Cassino Beach
Summary
Estuaries and coastal regions are reservoirs of fine sediments derived from continental basins. The material exported by the Patos Lagoon reaches the coastal region through the coastal plume (Marques et al, 2010b) and, eventually, these sediments are deposited in the inner shelf and nearshore zone of Cassino Beach. This deposited material contributes to the formation of muddy banks observed in the region (Calliari et al, 2009), which are sporadically remobilized by specific waves, wind and current conditions towards the shore (Holland et al, 2009). The aim of this study is to evaluate the new patterns of sediment distribution inside the Patos Lagoon access channel and at the coastal region after the modernization work.for such a claim
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