Dinâmica Costeira dos Campos petrolíferos Macau/Serra, litoral setentrional do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

This thesis describes the general behavior of the northern shore of the State of Rio Grande do Norte relating beach profile morphology with hydrodynamic and sedimentological parameters. The Macau and Serra Oil Field are inserted on this area and are under accelerated coastal erosion. At these oil fields are installed oil wells from PETROBRAS, nowadays located directly in the shoreline, under constant attacks of coastal processes (e.g. waves, tides and currents), which promote an intense morphodynamic variability of this sandy coast. The area was monitored for 24 months in three different stations (P01, P02 and P03). The methodology applied involved current techniques of beach profiles, hydrodynamical processes, remote sensing and geophysics. A synthesis of results obtained through the use of different time scales (monthly, lunar cycle, seasonal, annual) from a coastal dynamics study is presented. The average wind direction corresponded to 77ºAz (NE). The steepness of the berm and of the shoreface, as well as coastal current direction, do not present major changes, with an average of 36º for the steepness of the berm, 15º for the shoreface and 15º for the coastal current direction. This data set allows us to infer that the months of larger coastal erosion were November/2000 and April/2001, because of the largest wave parameter during this time. The months of worse coastal erosion in this area are related with the increasing wavy energy. This in turn, seems to be related to seasonal climatic variations, with the wave energy and tide currents speed increasing during months of minor precipitations (June to January). The months of worse coastal erosion were September and November, when the largest wave parameters and speed currents are measured in the area. Since these months are included on the period of minor precipitations, we related the coastal erosion to seasonal climatic variations. The results obtained during these 24 months of monitoring confirms a situation of accentuated erosion, mainly in Profile 03 (Barra do Corta-Cachorro), where the wave height, period, and coastal current speed are always larger than the values found in Profile 02 (Macau5). Probably these values are more expressive in Profile 03, because it does not present any natural structure of protection against the wave impacts, as the barrier island located at Ponta do Tubarão, or the sand banks in front of Macau5. The transport of the sediments occurs from East to West, and the sand accumulation is more pronounced on Profile 03 intertidal zone, where there are embrionary dunes in dryer months. The tidal currents speed, on the other hand, is more accentuated in the Macau5 area (Profile 02). At Ponta do Tubarão, the tidal currents presented a preferential direction for NE, at times of flood, currents and for NW, at times of ebb current; at Barra do Corta-Cachorro the direction of the currents were predominantly for NW, independent of the tide phase, coinciding with the preferential direction of the longshore current. This currents inversion at Ponta do Tubarão is attributed to the presence of the Ponta do Tubarão island barrier and by the communication channel of the lagoon with the sea. The tide currents are better observed in protected areas, as in the Ponta do Tubarão, when they present inversion in their direction accordingly to the flood and ebb tide. In open areas, as in Barra do Corta-Cachorro, the tide currents are overprinted by the longshore currents. Sediment analysis does not show important modifications in grain size related to seasonality (dry- and rainy seasons). On the foreshore and backshore zones, the sediments vary from fine to medium sand, while in the shoreface they very from fine to very sands. The grains are mostly spheres, varying from sub rounded to sub angled. Quartz is the main component alongside Feldspat and heavy minerals as accessory components. Biogenic content is also present and mainly represented by mollusks fragments. The calculated sediment transport show values around 100 m3/day. The morphodynamic studies indicated that this is a reflexive area from October to April, and intermediate from May to September. The Relative Tide Range-RTR for this area is 4 < RTR < 15, and so classified in the mixed wave-tide group. Having this exposed we can affirm that the more active natural factors in this area are the currents, followed by the tides and the winds. The anthropic factors are exclusively local and punctual (Macau and Serra Oil Field). Taking in account the economic importance of the area, as well as the intensity of coastal processes acting on this shore, it is important a continuity of the monthly environmental monitoring looking for variations on longer-period cycles. These data have been stored on the geo-referenced database of the projects MARPETRO and PETRORISCO (REDE 05), aiming to model the coastal and sea environment, susceptible to oil spills and their derivatives

Modelagem do clima de ondas e seus efeitos sobre as feições morfológicas costeiras no litoral setentrional do Rio Grande do Norte

This thesis presents the results of application of SWAN Simulating WAves Nearshore numerical model, OF third generation, which simulates the propagation and dissipation of energy from sea waves, on the north continental shelf at Rio Grande do Norte, to determine the wave climate, calibrate and validate the model, and assess their potential and limitations for the region of interest. After validation of the wave climate, the results were integrated with information from the submarine relief, and plant morphology of beaches and barrier islands systems. On the second phase, the objective was to analyze the evolution of the wave and its interaction with the shallow seabed, from three transverse profiles orientation from N to S, distributed according to the parallel longitudinal, X = 774000-W, 783000-W e 800000-W. Subsequently, it was were extracted the values of directional waves and winds through all the months between november 2010 to november 2012, to analyze the impact of these forces on the movement area, and then understand the behavior of the morphological variations according to temporal year variability. Based on the results of modeling and its integration with correlated data, and planimetric variations of Soledade and Minhoto beach systems and Ponta do Tubarão and Barra do Fernandes barrier islands systems, it was obtained the following conclusions: SWAN could reproduce and determine the wave climate on the north continental shelf at RN, the results show a similar trend for the measurements of temporal variations of significant height (HS, m) and the mean wave period (Tmed, s); however, the results of parametric statistics were low for the estimates of the maximum values in most of the analyzed periods compared data of PT 1 and PT 2 (measurement points), with alternation of significant wave heights, at times overrated with occasional overlap of swell episodes. By analyzing the spatial distribution of the wave climate and its interaction with the underwater compartmentalization, it was concluded that there is interaction of wave propagation with the seafloor, showing change in significant heights whenever it interacts with the seafloor features (beachrocks, symmetric and asymmetric longitudinal dunes, paleochannel, among others) in the regions of outer, middle and inner shelf. And finally, it is concluded that the study of the stability areas allows identifications of the most unstable regions, confirming that the greatest range of variation indicates greater instability and consequent sensitivity to hydrodynamic processes operating in the coastal region, with positive or negative variation, especially at Ponta do Tubarão and Barra do Fernandes barrier islands systems, where they are more susceptible to waves impacts, as evidenced in retreat of the shoreline

Integrais de linha intervalares: fundamentos e aplicações

A necessidade de uma precisão e de uma aproximação dos resultados numéricos zeram com que diversas teorias surgissem: dentre elas, destacamos a Matemática Intervalar. A Matemática Intervalar surgiu na década de 60 com os trabalhos de pesquisa de Moore (MOORE, 1959) , em que ele propôs trabalhar com uma Matemática baseada na noção de intervalo real e não mais com um número como aproximação. Com isso, surgiu a necessidade de revisitar e reformular os conceitos e resultados da Matemática Clássica utilizando como base a noção de intervalo de Moore. Uma das áreas da Matem ática Clássica que tem tido muitas aplicações em engenharias e ciências é a Análises Numérica, onde um dos seus pilares é o Cálculo Integral e em particular as integrais de linha. Assim, é muito desejável se ter um cálculo integral dentro da própria Matemática Intervalar. No presente trabalho apresenta-se uma noção de Integral de Linha Intervalar baseada na extensão de integração proposta por Bedregal em (BEDREGAL; BEDREGAL, 2010). Para a fundamentação apresenta-se incialmente uma introdução sobre a pespectiva em que o trabalho foi realizado, considerando alguns aspectos histórico-evolutivos da Matemática Clássica. Os conceitos de Integrais de Linha Clássica, bem como algumas das suas aplicações mais importantes. Alguns conceitos de Matemática Intervalar necessários para o entendimento do trabalho. Para nalizar propomos uma aplicação da integral de linha em um experimênto clássico da mecânica quântica (a difração de um elétron em uma fenda) que graças ao fato de ser a Matemática Intervalar utilizada, nos dá um foco mais detalhado e mais próximo da realidade

Mapeamento de recifes no Rio Grande do Norte: Touros e Macau/RN

Studies on the Brazilian continental shelf were developed between Touros and Macau-RN (NE Brazil) with the aim to mapping carbonate buildups, and especially, reef ecosystems. Remote sensing, submarine movies, bathymetric survey and diving were the methods used. This paper will focus on three main aspects of the Rio Grande do Norte reefs: 1) characterization of the coral fauna; 2) the classification and, 3) the distribution of the main northriograndense carbonate buildups. Reefs environments are found predominantly on the inner shelf adjacent to Touros, at depths shallower than 10 m. These reefs generally show NW-SE orientation parallel to the coastline and constitute groupings of knolls and patch reefs. A prominent carbonate buildup, where the corals are almost absents and algae incrustation is thin, occurs in average depths of 25 m, along the northern part of Rio Grande do Norte State and is classified as sandstone bank. Others sandstone banks, with smaller lengths and heights were mapped around 10 m depth. They should be related to an ancient coastline; however the corresponding litostratigraphic unit was not defined. This work is a contribution to the mapping of coral reef, in particular, and carbonate buildups, in general, on the Rio Grande do Norte coast

Estudo evolutivo das condições ambientais da região costeira do município de Guamaré - RN

The work concerns on the evolutionary study of the environmental conditions of the coastal area of Guamaré-RN, where was investigated the geo-environmental transformation occourred in this region, whose primordial purpose was to diagnose the changes verified in the temporary space of five decades (1950 to 2001). With the objective of evaluanting the action of the active coastal processes (currents, waves, tides and winds), in order to understand the generating mechanisms of the erosion/sedimentation, evidenced by constant morphologic changes. The adopted methodological procedure consisted of a succession of stages, involving bibliographical and cartographic study, aereal photographs study, digital treatment of images, field work (sample collection, beaches profiles, characterization of the beach environment and morfodynamics), mapping correction and laboratory analyses (granulometry). The evolutionary study of the morphologic features indicated significant variations in the studied period, mainly, in the dunes, sea terraces, variation of the shore line and tidal flat, evidencing the largest transformations in the temporary space between 1988 and 2001. The analyses of the beach profiles showed a sedimentation tendency in the area of the profiles P1, P2 and P3, however in the monitored pediod, it was observed in the referred profiles, erosive and depositionals intervals evidencing a need of more effective monitoring. The results of the granulometric analyses indicate a predominance of mean to coarse sand in the backshore and estirancy area, as in the shoreface, the analyses indicated medium to fine sand. The morfodynamic state, showed that beach of Minhoto is intermediate state, with alternancy to reflective. The areas of larger vulnerability and sensibility are the tidal flat, shore line, barrier island and mobile dunes, that actually is suffering great environmental impact with expansion of the carcinoculture, urban presence and natural impacts (erosion of the shoreline)

Vulnerabilidade ambiental da zona costeira de Pititinga, Rio do Fogo, Rio Grande do Norte

This work presents a study on the environmental vulnerability of the coastal region of Pititinga, Rio do Fogo/RN. The coastal erosion of Pititinga beach was analyzed and considerated as one more process that produces environmental vulnerability in the area of study, taking into account its human and natural environment and establishing the relation between them, to understand the arrangement that produced its spatial configuration. The natural environment was expressed by thematics maps with geology, geomorphology, vegetation and soil themes, while the human environment was expressed by the use and occupation of the soil map. The coastal erosion was put in an erosion vulnerability map. The methodological procedure to generate the thematics maps, vulnerability maps and of the erosion coastal involved the bibliographic research, field visits with check-list form fill, collect and analysis of sediment sample, photo-interpretation techniques, integration of the information in a database, data store and spatial analysis in a Geographic Information System (GIS) ambient. The natural vulnerability map shows a predominancy of environments with low (29,6%) or medium (42,4%) vulnerability, pointed the frontal and mobile dune as the areas with the highest vulnerability. The environmental vulnerability map, presents a predominancy of environments with low vulnerability (53,8%), with the high vulnerability concentrated on Pititinga community. The coastal erosion vulnerability presented distinct behaviors on three sections among the coastal line according each one characteristics. Where there are frontal and transgressive dunes, vulnerability are, generally, medium or low, respectively, and in the absence of them, as what occurs in Pititinga community, the vulnerability is predominately very high