MEASURE OF THE VARIATION OF THE COAST LINE AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE “BARREIRAS” AND “FAROL” BEACHES IN CAMOCIM, STATE OF CEARÁ, NORTHEAST BRAZIL

Abstract

The positional variation of the coastline is the result of the incessant mechanism of sediment transport and deposition, being subject to great natural dynamics, modifi ed from the action of innumerable natural and anthropogenic agents. This article aims to measure the variation of the coastline and the morphological changes of the beaches of Barreiras and Farol, in the municipality of Camocim, west coast of the State of Ceará, over a period of one year (April 2018 to May 2019). The methodology used was to quantify the areas added and eroded in the year 2019 from a vectorized coastline in the year 2018, using the poligon changes method. It is observed the occurrence of the variation of the coastline by natural processes, as well as erosion of the coastal features caused by inadequate uses and occupations of the area, resulting in high rates of retreat from the coastline, which puts private and public property structures at risk, further threatening the local environmental balance.