COASTAL EROSION AND PROTECTION STRUCTURES ALONG METROPOLITAN REGION OF FORTALEZA-RMF, CEARÁ

Abstract

Coastal erosion, in urbanized sections of Ceara coast, has caused changes in the landscape. This process is a consequence of the naturais systems artificialization by human activities, that has provoked the decrease in sediment supply and consequent erosion. In this sense, are necessary intervening measures of coastal protection in order to minimize environmental impacts and protect the urban patrimony. It is increasingly common that investments in coastal protection hard structures, consequently increasing the coastal artificialization process. This research aims to undertake an analysis of coastal engineering works along the coastline of the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza - RMF), highlighting all the elements of artificial and structural coastal defense. For this, we used computational tools of spatial analysis using geoprocessing techniques. Seventy-two coastal engineering structures were identified in the coast of RMF, being the coast of Fortaleza, the most artificial.