Abstract
Understading the hydrodynamic behavior and suspended particulated matter (SPM) transport are of great importance in port regions such as Vitória Harbor, which is located at Vitória Bay, Vitória - ES, Brazil. Vitória Bay is an estuary that has not been systematically assessed through a temporal analysis in order to identify its hydrodynamics characteristics and SPM exchange. This study aims to investigate salt and suspended particulate matter flux at the estuarine mouth of Vitória Bay by understanding the temporal variation of salinity, temperature and tidal currents within the water column and at the channel crosssection. Results showed that the estuarine mouth tended to present partial stratification periods during neap tides and little stratification in spring tides. The circulation pattern was mainly influenced by the tide, with little influence from river discharge. With regard to the SPM, the mouth of the estuary tended to show low concentrations, with the highest values occurring during the dry season. A close relationship between momentary discharge, SPM and salt fluxes was observed. Despite all the data was collected at the mouth of the estuary, the system showed an importation trend of salt in all cycles and SPM importation for three of the four studied tidal cycles. Thus, Vitoria Bay is not exporting SPM to the adjacent inner shelf.
Highlights
Estuarine dynamics are controlled by river dis charge, tides, waves, wind, meteorological forcings and the geometry of the estuary (Nichols and Bigs 1985, Miranda et al 2002)
Investigations on the hydrodynamic behavior and suspended particulate matter (SPM) transport are of great importance in port regions such as Vitória Harbor
This study aims to investigate the flow of salt and suspended particulate matter at the estuary mouth of Vitória Bay by understand salinity, tempe rature and the temporal variation in currents within the water column and at a channel cross-section
Summary
Estuarine dynamics are controlled by river dis charge, tides, waves, wind, meteorological forcings and the geometry of the estuary (Nichols and Bigs 1985, Miranda et al 2002). One of the most suitable methods for analyzing large amounts of hydrographic data associated with an estuary is to calculate the longitudinal flow of salt and suspended particulate matter (SPM), making it possible to visualize the resulting transport (Medeiros and Kjerfve 2005). By studying the behavior of SPM, we can establish its residence time in Estuaries do more than just export materials; these environments act as a filter, retaining most of the substances from the watershed and coastal zone. Investigations on the hydrodynamic behavior and SPM transport are of great importance in port regions such as Vitória Harbor. Vitória Bay, despite being an estuary of social, economic and environmental importance for the development of the state of Espírito Santo, has not been systematically assessed through a temporal analysis to identify its characteristics and SPM hydrodynamic exchange. Previous studies regarding the management of Vitória Harbor have always been of a practical nature
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