The results of this work have demonstrated evident relationships between sedimentation processes and coastal morphology (Bertalanffy, 1968; Bennett and Chorley, 1978; Phillips, 1992). Morphological knowledge of coastal environments should include continuous monitoring of depositional processes, considering that these processes can be rapidly altered by natural and anthropogenic causes.
Records of variations in beach width and grain size confirm the erosive events and the morphological changes of the beaches. Especially when large oceanic waves occur in periods of sea hangover. In the area of study, morphological dynamics show that depositional processes always act continuously (Taggart & Schwartz,1988). The depositional processes act at the same time to remove or accumulate sands at different points of the same beach arch. In times of hangovers the sands accumulate, and the strip sand of the beach widens in the front of the channel of the Garden of Alah. At critical hangover moments the sea-lagoon channel connection is closed preventing the renewal of the waters of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon with the sea. The bigger hangovers are the periods of big changes in the morphology of the beaches. The hangover times recorded in the Figure 8 showed that the month of May, in the autumn season is when the marine agitation acts on the beaches with greater intensity.
The results obtained demonstrate that the evolution of beach morphology presents unique aspects in relation to depositional processes with beach segments that respond differently to storm waves in hangover seasons.
The annex 1 shows the figures of simultaneous images of the beaches of Arpoador and Jardim de Alah in times of hangover. They depict how the size of these beaches has their sandy strips altered by depositional processes with the different sedimentation conditions that occur at the same time. The sedimentary dynamics present distinct depositional patterns for the two main beaches along the Arpoador – Leblon beach arch.
• - In the area of Arpoador beach the strip of sand is reduced and almost disappears putting constructions of the waterfront in danger.
• - In the area of Jardim de Alah, the accumulation of sediments expands the sandy strip and begins to obstruct the channel connecting the sea with the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, requiring dredging and removal of sand.
Considering that the indicators of morphodynamics processes had been demonstrate significant variations in beach forms, it is recommended that urban beaches be monitored more frequently. Especially in hangovers times, when the depositional processes are more intense (Annex 2). Meteorological and Oceanographic factors along with anthropic actions affect the depositional processes on the coast. It is recommended that projects focus on maintenance and preservation of beaches including as a priority an approach that balances an engineering perspective with the purely geological perspective (komar, 1976).
In the study área the knowledge of coastal morphodynamics evolution is fundamental to protect beaches from extreme depositional events mainly in relation to the:
- know the physical factors make more easily the knowledge of the depositional processes that act on the stability of the littoral contours..
- beach features that should be carried out more often mainly by the climatic rigors that affect with greater intensity engineering works and coastal depositional processes.
- extreme events such as those of 2008 on Arpoador beach. In addition to reducing the strip of sand by intense waves, this event hit the sidewalk and caused material damage to the residents and frequenters of that beach,
- depositional processes are part of the coastal dynamics to restore the morphology of the beaches to the new features after hangover events, works or anthropic actions of fattening (Leblon beach),
In view of the above, it is recommended that the coastal forms defined by the positioning of the coastline, whenever possible, should be characterized in the light of oceanographic conditions at different times of the year and in function:
- sedimentation processes,
- physical factors, and
- of anthropic actions
In this way, a new concept of ban coastline is admitted, integrating sustainable methods of coastal protection and development of cities,
New challenges and opportunities arise to create ways of protecting coastal spaces in urban environments,
Maintaining public spaces and leisure areas implies a more qualitative and integrated relationship with the waters and with the changing coastal dynamics,
The success of water resources management depends on the continuous monitoring of physical factors. The uncertainty of climate change and the disorderly occupation trends of urban coastal areas require us to seek more efficient methods of control and prevention to mitigate the adversities that are increasingly intense in coastal urban environments.
The application and use of the concepts developed through the study of beach morphodynamics can be efficient in solving problems related to sandy beaches.
- It is concluded that in the study beaches the sediment samples fall mainly in the field of medium sand to fine sand, which indicates a moderate wave action along the shoreline of these areas.
RECOMMENDS
From the results obtained in this work it is possible to recommend guidelines to mitigate issues of the management of urban beaches. The study of beach morphology should consider variations in beach size by monitoring based on the following items:
- Physical factors affecting the sedimentary balance and stability of coastal contours,
- Oceanographic factors by variations in wave energy over time that affects seasonally eroding and silting the shoreline,
- Environmental factors such as the anthropic presence that in tourist areas that can alter the coastal depositional processes,