PRINCIPAIS PADRÕES DE DISPERSÃO DE SEDIMENTOS AO LONGO DA COSTA DO DESCOBRIMENTO - SUL DO ESTADO DA BAHIA

Abstract

PATTERNS OF SEDIMENT DISPERSION ALONG THE DISCOVERY COAST (BRAZIL) The patterns of sediment dispersion along the Discovery Coast (Brazil) is characterized by three sediment longshore transport divergent zones. The divergent zones were defined through analysis of the wave climate along with wave refraction diagrams and the establishment of a sediment dispersion model. In the study area the sediment dispersion and the associated divergent zones are mainly controlled by coral reefs located along the coast, forming a barrier to the stronger SE and SSE waves. This causes, in some coastal segments, an inversion in the sediment drift direction, due to the dominance of the weaker E and NE waves.