This work characterizes the coastal and marine environment morphology of the São Bento do Norte area (NE Brazil) based on remote sensing analysis. Applying digital image processing techniques, that were georeferenced, rectified and processed. The integration of field data to the resulting images (RGB-5-2-1,HSI-PC6-4-2, PC2 e PC4) allowed the identification of the main submerged features and detection of environmental changes on the coastal zone. The area is located in Potiguar Basin between a complex system of faults and grabens/horsts. It is assumed that this fault system has had influence on of the generation morphology and control several bottom features. The recognition of submerged seabottom features as dunes, beachrocks and reefs, was only possible due to the high transparency of the water in the area that makes possible the mapping of the bottom morphology up to 25 m depth. Thus, the orbital images have been used with success in the mapping of the inner shelf of Northeast.
remote sensing; coastline; continental shelf; morphology; Northeastern Brazilian
