Coastline changes near the "Maranhão - Ponta da Madeira" Port Complex, Brazil

Abstract

This article describes changes in the shoreline near the port complex at Maranhão, Brazil, and adjacent areas. The main objective was to evaluate the morphological changes in the study area during recent decades based on satellite remote sensing image analysis by comparing a series of eight images obtained with different sensors (Landsat, Quickbird, Geoeye, Ikonos, and Worldview 2 and 3) in the vicinity of an industrial harbor area. The shoreline was characterized by digitization and vectorization using each image, and the statistic spatial changes in the shoreline were quantified using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System. In addition, time change detection analyses were conducted in specific areas in order to establish correlations between the erosion/deposition areas with changes in vegetation and the land-cover dynamics. Throughout most of the area, the shoreline tended to remain stable during the study period. However, four specific areas exhibited variability at localized points on the shoreline, particularly areas near the port region and those adjacent to estuarine channels evidencing that the port complex has a direct influence on the shoreline behavior in a relatively stable area.