Environmental Impact on Sepetiba Beach

This paper describes the erosive and sedimentary processes which have been causing damage to the most important beach on Sepetiba Bay in Brazil. Remote sensing techniques and data obtained from field trips were employed to carry out the analysis of these processes. A conceptual model was developed which illustrated these processes, their origins and their environmental impact on the beach. Results of the analysis revealed that sixty percent of silt grains and nineteen percent of clay are present among the components found on the beach. Beach sand is formed by recent deposits which are the result of the erosion of nearby areas and promontories. Sediment flow in the region is discussed in detail.