Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA)

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

Cliff vulnerability assessment on rocky coasts in southern Portugal.

Publication . Moura, Delminda; Cristina, Sónia

Rocky cliffs are widely distributed around the world’s coasts and are subject to natural and anthropogenic pressures. The coastal evolution and erosional processes of the southern Algarve coast in Portugal have been previously studied. However, a detailed analysis of the relationship between lithological characteristics and cliff vulnerability to erosion is lacking. Therefore, in this work we focused on lithological facies variation and structures of the cliffs from Olhos de Água to Albandeira. We combined a variety of data, including those derived from traditional field-based and laboratory analysis, remote sensing (UAV image analysis) and photogrammetry. We identified multiple key forcers concerning cliff vulnerability to erosion: high vertical facies variation, intense karstification, multiple notches and marine caves. Furthermore, our lab analysis revealed differences in CaCO3 content for each lithofacies, resulting in alternating rock strength and leading to the formation of multiple structural notches into the cliff face. A classification of cliff vulnerability was developed based on a combination of these lithological and geomorphological factors. The sector Arrifes - Galé was classified as most vulnerable; Sector Galé - Armação de Pêra Bay was classified as least vulnerable in the study area.

2021-07-21Conference object

Open Access

Short-term effects of climate change on Planktonic Heterotrophic Prokaryotes in a temperate Coastal Lagoon: Temperature Is good, ultraviolet radiation Is bad, and CO2 Is neutral

Publication . B. Barbosa, Ana; Mosley, Benjamin A.; M. Galvão, Helena; Domingues, Rita B.

Planktonic heterotrophic prokaryotes (HProks) are a pivotal functional group in marine ecosystems and are highly sensitive to environmental variability and climate change. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2), ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and temperature on natural assemblages of HProks in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon during winter. Two multi-stressor microcosm experiments were used to evaluate the isolated and combined effects of these environmental changes on HProk abundance, production, growth, and mortality rates. The isolated and combined effects of increased CO2 on HProks were not significant. However, HProk production, cellular activity, instantaneous growth rate, and mortality rate were negatively influenced by elevated UVR and positively influenced by warming. Stronger effects were detected on HProk mortality in relation to specific growth rate, leading to higher HProk net growth rates and abundance under elevated UVR and lower values under warming conditions.

2023-10-14Journal article

Open Access

Conceptual and quantitative categorization of wave-induced flooding impacts for pedestrians and assets in urban beaches

Publication . Garzon, Juan L.; Ferreira, Ó.; Reis, M. T.; Ferreira, A.; Fortes, C. J. E. M.; Zózimo, A. C.

Coastal fooding is a major threat to communities living in low-lying areas and the increase in the anthropogenic pressure in coastal zones and the efects of climate change (e.g., sea-level rise, increase in storminess and its frequency) are promoting an enhancement of the existing risks for population and properties 1–4 . Coastal fooding results from the interaction of oceanic and atmospheric processes with the local and regional features (topography, nearshore bathymetry, continental shelf, and land use). Among the diferent oceanic agents that might drive coastal fooding, wave-related processes have been found to be the dominant component in large areas of the globe compared to storm surges and tides 5 . When waves approach the shoreline, a large part of the wave energy is dissipated across the surf zone by wave breaking. However, a portion of the remaining energy is converted to potential energy in the form of wave runup on the beach foreshore 6 contributing to boosting the extreme water levels 3 . When the existing natural or man-made coastal protection structure (constructed on land) is lower than the maximum level that water can reach by wave attack, a discharge occurs over the structure and propagates inland. It can be called green water 7 (non-impulsive), when a layer of water passes over the crest, or white water 7 (or impulsive conditions) when waves break on the seaward face of the structure and produce signifcant volumes of splash or spray (not considered here). Terefore, wave runup (and overtopping) is important to coastal planners and engineers because it delivers much of the energy responsible for causing a fooding event 8. Besides disruptions in local services and transportation, during such events, seawater can travel with high velocities, which in turn can afect the integrity of urban elements and properties, and severely injure people.

2023Journal article

Open Access

Evolutionary trajectories of Coastal Sand Barriers along the West Portuguese Coast during the Holocene

Publication . Costas, Susana

Coastal sand barriers are dynamic features with complex depositional sequences holding critical information regarding system response to disturbances at secular to millennial time scales. Here, the evolutionary trajectories of three barriers located along the Portuguese coast are reconstructed over the Middle to Late Holocene using geophysical subsurface images, modern morphology and dating of dune and beach deposits. The integration of new and available information from the documents of the selected site contrasts histories with modern barriers displaying ages ranging from hundreds to thousands of years and non-linear trajectories defined by shifts between morphological states. Younger barriers appear to represent the latest progradational state within a history of landward barrier migration, where progradational states alternated with transgressive states. Conversely, the oldest barrier shows a single phase of barrier growth, despite some minor hiatus in progradation. Barrier state shifts appear to have simultaneously occurred across systems, suggesting external drivers of regional scale linked to Holocene climate variability, namely, periods of storminess activity, while the different trajectories displayed by the three sites appear related to site-specific variables controlling exposure to waves and winds. Exposed sites showed a lower ability to absorb disturbances and a greater range of system responses, varying between transgressive and progradational states.

2022-12-05Journal article

Open Access

Energy transition process and community engagement on geographic islands: the case of Culatra Island (Ria Formosa, Portugal)

Publication . Pacheco, André; Monteiro, Jânio; Santos, Joni; Sequeira, Claudia; Nunes, J.

Islands have the potential to be precursors in the transition to clean energy, by adopting new technologies and applying innovative solutions that can serve as showcases at an international level. This paper is a contribution towards understating the importance of community engagement on energy transition processes. It covers multiple aspects of a green transition process, including technical, environmental, social, and economic issues. Starting by a participatory diagnosis process, the community of a small island located in Portugal (Culatra Island, Algarve), was challenged to lead the transition process and define different pillars of energy transition. The process brought together local authorities, academia, citizens and companies. Using practical examples, it is shown how the community is succeeding in tailoring new technological solutions for a green transition, according with the specific needs of the island, as expressed by the islanders themselves, including batteries, electric vehicles, retrofitting of homes, or heat pumps, which, when combined, could lay the foundations for the creation of a Renewable Energy Community and leverage socioeconomic benefits.

2022Journal article

Restricted