GEOTECHNOLOGY APPLIED TO THE MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ARACATIMIRIM RIVER ESTUARY (TORRÕES - CE)

Abstract. Estuaries are unstable coastal environments of transitional character between the continent and the ocean that plays an important role in fauna reproduction. In general, these types of coastal features have suffered several environmental impacts due to inadequate forms of use and occupation, which result in significant modifications in the morphology of river mouths. This work aims to apply geotechnologies to study the morphological changes at the mouth of Aracatimirim River, Ceará, Brazil, contributing with useful information on the monitoring and environmental management of tropical coastal estuaries. The methodology was divided into three stages: recognition of the study area; field activity and data processing and integration. The Aracatimirim River estuary underwent major changes between 1985 and 2013, where it was possible to identify five evolutionary phases into this period. Previously, built by bar, it evolved to an estuary of coastal plain, accompanied by the progression of Torrões beach and agglutination of "barriers spits" to the continent. It is the main navigable river of the area of Itarema municipality. After the development of this work, it was possible to conclude that the forms of use and occupation in the surroundings of the Aracaratimirim River estuary had a wide growth in the last years, which reflects clearly in the estuary morphology, currently classified as an estuary of coastal plain. The morphological changes within the estuary interfere on not only the environmental conditions, but also in the economy and social conditions of the local community.