The objective of the present paper is to characterize the hydrodynamics and the suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Caravelas Estuary under different tidal and river regimes. Four hydrographic campaigns were carried out comprising a complete semi-diurnal tidal cycle, comprising neap and spring tidal phases, and during dry and wet seasons. Water level, current speed and direction, salinity, temperature and turbidity were recorded in an anchored station near to the estuarine mouth. The residual SPM flux and the mechanisms of transport were calculated. The higher SPM concentrations were recorded during the spring tidal phase. During neap tides, the net SPM flux was up-estuary, although with low scale. During spring tides the tidal currents are strongly ebb dominant, and the net flux can be either up- or down-estuary. The estuary was classified as well mixed or weakly stratified. The hydrography and the sediment balance are firstly modulated by the tidal range, and the fresh water inflow is negligible.
tidal currents; tidal asymmetry; suspended sediments
