Recent geomorphological changes in the Paraiba do Sul delta, South America East Coast

Author(s)

Souza, Andre ; Lammle, Luca ; Filho Archimedes, P. ; Donadio, Carlo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY; v. N/A, p. 23-pg., 2022-04-10.

Abstract

The Paraiba do Sul River delta, a South America east coast system, presents deposits recording complex sedimentary dynamics in the deltaic plain during the Little Ice Age (LIA). The use of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, sediment grain-size characterization, and morpho-chronological analysis showed that from similar to 450 to 100years (LIA period), both in lower to upper deltaic plain, remodeling occurred in conjunction with the coastline regression. The freshwater and sediment influx increases due to the moisture enhancements during the LIA resulted in the intensification of the fluvial dynamic, channel downcutting on the marine terrace, and sedimentary environments remodeling. Further, the base-level changes occasioned by the coastline regression strengthen the geomorphological dynamics associated with the recent changes in the Paraiba do Sul delta. Currently, the coastal erosion problem found in the area seems to reflect the coupling between climate dynamic (rainfall rates decrease) and multiple-scale anthropic intervention. Results show a high sensitivity of humid tropical deltaic systems to short-time climate events, further contribute to broadening discussions on the complexity of this delta system's morphosedimentary evolution during the Late Holocene. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/07271-3 - Marine transgressions and regressions associated to Holocene climate pulsations: spacialization and geochronology of surface coverages in fluvial, fluvial-marine and marine terraces in the Brazilian coast
• Grantee: Archimedes Perez Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/26876-0 - Surface coverings in low terraces marine and fluviomarine on coastal plain of River Paraíba do Sul: geochronology and the impacts resulting of Açu port construction
• Grantee: Luca Lämmle
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/05327-6 - Spatial distribution and geochronology of surface coatings in marine, river- marine and river terraces in the context of climate fluctuations, associated to the Holocene's marine transgression and regression episodes in the Brazilian coast
• Grantee: Archimedes Perez Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/00382-9 - Geochronology of surface coverages in low fluvial terraces, Marine terraces and fluvial-Marine terraces at mouth of the Basins Ribeira de Iguape/SP and Paraíba South river: Holocene Climate fluctuation in the brazilian southeast
• Grantee: André de Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate