This work deals with the identification of the bathymetric, sedimentary distribution, and sedimentary features, as well as with their correlation to hydrodynamic processes which are responsible for the transportation and deposition of particulate materials in Ubatumirim and Picinguaba bays and in the adjacent inner shelf. The methodology comprised the batthymetric characterization, 77 bottom surface sampling and the measurements of temperature and salinity profiles. Results showed the dominance of fine and very fine sands, and secondarily, the existence of NNW-SSE elongated coarse and medium sand features. These features are related to relict sediments. The oceanographic structure shows an anti-clockwise circulation in the bays, with an opposite direction for the longshore currents, which demonstrate rip cell circulation in opposite direction along the coastline This pattern causes the transport of fluvial sediments to the opposite sides of the beaches. The sediment transport and generation of sedimentary features could be associated to the passage of cold fronts over the area.
Sediment dinamics; Coastal bays; Bottom sediments; Circulation; Oceanography
