Modelação morfodinâmica da ribeira de Aljezur

Abstract

The morphology of tidal inlets is very dynamic, due to the combined action of waves, tides and river flows. The morphological changes of small and shallow inlets are particularly relevant, as even slight variations in the bathymetry may induce a dramatic effect on tidal propagation and distortion. Occasionally, these complex dynamics may lead to the closure of the inlet and thus degrade the water quality upstream. Numerical morphodynamic models constitute attractive tools to study these morphological changes, although their application is still time-consuming and requires a deep insight into the relevant processes. This study aims at analyzing the morphodynamics of the tidal inlet of a small and shallow coastal system (the Aljezur coastal stream), through the implementation, validation and exploitation of the MORSYS2D morphodynamic modeling system. The Aljezur stream is located in the south-west coast of Portugal and subject to the north Atlantic waves and winds, and tides along the Iberian shelf. The stream is about 36 km long, 1-3 m deep and 10-40 m wide. Five field campaigns were carried out between 2008-2010 to provide bathymetry, water levels, waves and currents, both in the estuary and the adjoining beach, for the understanding of the dynamics of the stream and for the application, calibration and validation of MORSYS2D. This 2D morphodynamic modeling system simulates the non-cohesive sediment transport processes and the resulting bathymetric evolution in coastal regions. The system includes a wave model (SWAN), a circulation model (ELCIRC) and a sediment transport and bottom update model (SAND2D). The application, calibration and validation of MORSYS2D were a step-by-step procedure due to the numerous variable inputs and processes involved (e.g., forcings, parameters, formulations). The procedure started with simulations forced only by the tide, and progressively were added the wave and sediment transport processes. Different data sets (water levels, velocities, wave parameters and bathymetries) were used to validate each step. Morphodynamic simulations conducted between consecutive field campaigns provided the final validation. In order to investigate the effect of the several processes on the morphodynamic evolution of the inlet (e.g., waves and peak river flows), synthetic simulations were performed. From the exploitation of the model, results show that the morphodynamic variability of the beach is dominated mostly by the waves while river flow dominates the morphodynamics of the inlet region when peak flows occur. The model system reproduces correctly the hydrodynamics (waves, levels and velocities), and produces predictions of bathymetry qualitatively correct. This study brought a new understanding of the system and its variability.