State of art and main problems that need to be solved

The shoreface lies between surf zone and inner-continental shelf where the seabottom is continuously modified by the combination of waves and currents. This area, also referred by some authors as inner continental shelf, plays a key role in the transfer of sediments between the sub aerial beach domain and the shelf, acting as a filter, source, sink, conduit and/or barrier between these domains. This area presents strong cross-shore energetic gradients which also conditions the dynamics of benthic populations. In this context, the understanding of present and long-term shoreface morphodynamics is particularly important for a better management of coastal geological and biological resources. Despite recent development in shoreface morphodynamics research, our understanding of the interactions between the geosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere at the lower shoreface are still far from definitive.

Strategy and methods that will be used

The main objective of this proposal is to build a holistic perspective of the shoreface morphodynamics based on the knowledge of physical, geological and biological processes. More particularly, we aim to: 1) understand the dominant oceanographic circulation patterns; 2) evaluate seabed (morphological) changes across the shoreface profile and related sediment transport, especially in what concerns their connection with the “closure depth” definition; 3) describe macrofauna dynamics; 4) gain insight on the relationships between the benthic organisms and morphodynamics. This multidisciplinary study will rely on the coupling of physical, geological (morpho/sedimentary) and biological studies, strongly supported in field data collection and processes based modeling. Physical processes comprehension (currents and waves) will be based in field data acquisition (ADCP measurements) and numerical modeling. Geological processes will rely on the acquisition of sediment grain-size data, high resolution morphological and side scan sonar record acquired along a set of cross-shore profiles and sea-bottom images. Biological data, acquired simultaneously with the other data, will focus on benthic macroinvertebrates. Data integration will be done through processes based morphodynamic and biogeomorphology modeling.

The knowledge and know-how of the group

The research consortium has an expertise that covers the entire range of knowledge (from technical to scientific), needed to reach project objectives. The team has experience in coastal processes (Ferreira et al., 2006; Dolbeth et al., 2007; Taborda et al., 2006), wave and shelf circulation and processes (Relvas & Barton, 2005, Relvas et al., , 2007), physical numerical modeling (Peliz et al., 2009), benthos communities (Gaspar et al.,2009; Constantino et al., 2009), coastal management (Teixeira, 2009) and divulgation to the public. Furthermore, the project integrates also two consultants, Jon Willimas (ABPmer) e Paolo Ciavola (University of Ferrara) that will added a major value to the project. Project coordination and data integration will be eased by the existence of long term collaboration between project members. The institutions involved will provide the adequate facilities (oceanographic ships and equipment) that guarantee the project execution.

Novelty of the project and expected results

The project output will provide important information for an integrated understanding of a wave-dominated shoreface. A particular emphasis will be given to the translation of the understanding of the physical/geological/biological processes into objective deliverables that can support shoreface management, namely in what concerns the assessment of the sedimentary budget (and its relationship with coastal evolution), optimize the design of sand mining operations and help in the management of shoreface biological resources, including artificial reef deployment location. These results will be useful and helpful for a sustainable marine management and fits the National Strategy for the Sea and intends to be a contribution to the “Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone” (LOICZ) of the International Biosphere-Geosphere Programme (IGBP).

Palavras chave:

Shoreface; morphodynamics; integrated approach; marine management