Measurement and modeling of wind waves at the northern coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Directional measurements of wind-wave spectra made during the year of 1996 are used in a preliminary investigation of the wind-wave climate and its transformation at the São Francisco do Sul island, northern coast of the Santa Catarina state. Four major sea states and associated meteorological conditions are identified through analyses of joint distributions of observed wave parameters. Transformations of these main sea-state patterns due to refraction and shoaling are investigated through a numerical modeling approach that allows the reconstruction of the wave field within extensive coastal areas, using single point measurements of the wave spectrum in shallow waters. Cross-validation of measured and reconstructed spectra at the study site yield consistent results, suggesting that the proposed methodology works well for the São Francisco do Sul coast.

Protodrilus (Protodrilidae, Annelida) from the southern and southeastern Brazilian coasts

“…occurred in medium-coarse well-sorted sediments in the more energetic swash zone of exposed intermediatereflective beaches. Protodrilus ovarium was recorded at beaches exposed to southern and southeastern swells, while P. corderoi was present at beaches exposed to swells from the east (Alves and Melo 2001;Klein and Menezes 2001). The high turbulence at these environments negatively affects the stability of the superficial layers of sediment but causes oxygenation and constant organic matter input among the grains (Short 1996;McLachlan and Turner 1994).…”

“…Four predominant sea states were identified in the region: (1) sea winds from east-northeast (ENE), predominant throughout the year; (2) sea winds from south-southeast (SSE) (3) southwest and (4) east swells. Southwest swells and waves from the east occur during the winter and spring due to increased frequency and intensity of the passage of frontal systems in the region (Alves and Melo 2001). Beach sediments were collected manually or by snorkeling from oxygenated surface layers, including three replicates for granulometric analyses.…”

Environmental sensitivity mapping to oil spill and response actions for shoreline and portuary zone of Imbituba, SC, Brazil

“…Para esta análise tem-se empregado modelos numéricos, visando determinar a probabilidade de um segmento específico da costa ser atingido por uma camada de óleo, proveniente de uma fonte hipotética, sob condições meteorológicas locais específicas. Carmona et al(2006) criaram cenários de vulnerabilidade para a linha de costa do estado de São Paulo para as condições meteorológicas e oceanográficas associadas à passagem de sistemas frontais (frentes frias),com predomínio de ventos de SW-SE, e condições meteorológicas associadas ao Anticiclone do Atlântico Sul, quando há o predomínio de ventos de NE, que representam os sistemas de vento predominantes em toda a costa sudeste e sul do Brasil (Alves & Melo, 2001;Siegle & Asp, 2007 …”

Wave refraction and longshore transport patterns along the southern Santa Catarina coast

“…Alves, 1996;Alves & Melo, 2001), being concentrated at the northern portion of the state. Araújo et al (2003) made a statistical description of the wave conditions of the southern Brazilian coast, being so far the most complete wave climate study for the region.…”