Papers

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The characterisation of the dynamics of Figueira da Foz beach, in the West coast of Portugal, is presented based on the analysis of previous studies and results obtained from the application of a numerical model. Advances on the understanding of the beach dynamics have been achieved by the quantification of the annual and seasonal longshore transport and several beach profile parameters. An evaluation of the contribution of the wave climate components on the longshore transport was also obtained. The results allow sustaining a prediction of the effect of a future change of the wave climate on the longshore transport. Figueira da Foz shoreline change was simulated based on different conceptual scenarios and the results, although not quantitatively conclusive, allow the understanding of the influence of the neighbouring beach hard rock outcrops on the recent evolution.

Barotropic tidal propagation, circulation and salinity intrusion in the Guadiana estuary are described, based on two-dimensional numerical simulations supported by field data. Results are integrated through selected indicators, which provide detailed insight into the variability of the estuarine dynamics with the tides, the river flow and the spatial location. The estuarine dynamics is strongly affected by the generation of non-linear tidal constituents. Quarter-diurnal constituents distort the tide along the estuary, resulting in strong flood dominance. As a consequence, the estuary experiences accretion for low river flows. Residual velocities are directed upstream in shallow areas and downstream in the main channel. This pattern is responsible for higher salinities near the eastern margin, explaining the observed cross-sectional distribution of benthic organisms. The Coriolis effect and the residual currents patterns contribute to the efficient mixing of the river plume, promoting the renewal of the estuarine water. Residence times, computed with a new method based on particle tracking simulations, vary between four months and one week, for river flows between 8 and 300 m3/s. Maximum salinity intrusion depends on the tidal amplitude, which accounts for 8 km of its variability, and on the river flow. For very low river flows, the 0.5 isohaline penetrates up to 40 km into the estuary. The oligohaline, mesohaline and polyhaline regions extend for about 5 km each, and their locations shift by about 20 km with the tide. The estuary is stratified for river flows above 100 m3/s, and well mixed for river flows below 10 m3/s.

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Natural or induced floods are of increasing concern to water managers and civil protection services for three main reasons. Firstly, a continuous and unconscious increase of social pressure in the flooding valleys amplifies flood vulnerabilities and consequently natural or induced flood risk. Secondly, the alarming forecasts of the impact of potential climate changes on water resources, in spite of the high uncertainty associated to these forecasts, points out to larger flood hazards. Thirdly, dam-break induced accidents may occur more frequently due to infrastructure aging. Emergency Planning is a non-structural measure to minimise flood impacts playing an important role in crisis management. In fact, if a disaster cannot be avoided, individual and social structure preparedness may be of great help in risk reduction. An Internet-based system that supports flood emergency management is presented in this paper. This application is part of a more complete system developed with the goal of endowing the Portuguese water authorities, dam owners and the civil protection system with adequate tools to store and easily retrieve information on dams and their downstream valleys, to model the flood wave induced by a dam break and, eventually, to manage the response to flood-induced catastrophes.

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