Caracterização Física do Estuário do Rio Itajaí-açu, SC

TLDR: In this article, the authors describe the hydrodynamics, hydrology and sedimentology of the Itajai-acu river estuary and present results of previous studies developed in the region about external driving agents (fluvial, marine and atmospheric), as well as about internal processes in the estuarine basin.

Abstract: This paper describes some basic aspects about the hydrodynamics, hydrology and sedimentology of the Itajai-acu river estuary. It presents results of previous studies developed in the region about external driving agents (fluvial, marine and atmospheric), as well as about internal processes in the estuarine basin. In general, the estuary is of the salt-wedge circulation type, driven mainly by river discharge. Sea-level oscillation either due to astronomical or meteorological forces plays a minor role. Waves and wind appear to have no direct influence as driving agents of hydrodynamic and sedimentological processes in the estuary. The estuary exports most of the suspended sediment delivered by the river, although sediment can be also imported from the continental shelf through the landward bottom currents. Anthropogenic influence related to channel dredging has been changing the hydraulic and sedimentological behavior of the lower estuary systematically since the 50’s.