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The Holocene Barrier Strandplains of the State of Bahia
Article · January 2009

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-44771-9_8
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Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences 107
Editor:
S. Bhattacharji, Brooklyn
H. J. Neugebauer, Bonn
J. Reitner, Göttingen
K. Stüwe, Graz
Founding Editors:
G. M. Friedman, Brooklyn and Troy
A. Seilacher, Tübingen and Yale
Sérgio R. Dillenburg · Patrick A. Hesp
Geology
and Geomorphology
of Holocene Coastal
Barriers of Brazil
123
Dr. Sérgio R. Dillenburg Dr. Patrick A. Hesp
Universidade Federal do Louisiana State University
Rio Grande do Sul Dept. Geography & Anthropology
Instituto de Geociências Baton Rouge LA 70808
Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500 227 Howe Russell Complex
Porto Alegre-RS USA
Brazil pahesp@lsu.edu
sergio.dillenburg@ufrgs.br
For all Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences published till now please see final pages of the book
ISBN: 978-3-540-25008-1 e-ISBN: 978-3-540-44771-9
Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences ISSN: 0930-0317
Library of Congress Control Number: 2008935323

c Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is
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and regulations and therefore free for general use.
Cover design: deblik, Berlin
Printed on acid-free paper
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Preface
This is the first book to cover the Holocene geology and geomorphology
of the 9,200 kilometers of the Brazilian coast. It is written for third and
fourth year undergraduates, post-graduate students, scientists and manag-
ers. It characterizes the Brazilian coast in terms of the Holocene geology,
geomorphology, oceanographic and climatic conditions, and the location,
morphology and evolution of the barrier types. Separate chapters outline
the types of barriers and coastal dynamics in each state, beginning in the
south and proceeding to the north. Some emphasis is placed on the
stretches of coast where the detailed morphology and stratigraphy of bar-
riers has been previously determined.
To date, the Brazilian coastal barriers have been largely ignored by the
international community, partly perhaps because much of the past research
has tended to concentrate on barrier islands, of which there are very few in
Brazil. In contrast, the Brazilian coastal barriers display a much wider
range of types than is generally assumed. The biggest and most spectacular
transgressive dunefield barriers in the world exist in Brazil, and dominate
the southern and northeastern coasts. Many have never been described be-
fore.
This volume provides a wealth of information on Holocene barrier
types, evolution and dynamics. It provides managers, ecologists, biologists
and botanists with much needed information on the geology, geomorphol-
ogy and dynamics of the genesis, types, functioning and ecosystems of the
Holocene barriers extending along the entire Brazilian coast.
The book has eleven chapters, written by thirty contributors. Each one is
an outstanding researcher in coastal environments, Holocene geology
and/or geomorphology. In the following, Chap. 1 provides a brief review
of coastal barrier definitions and types, and discusses the principle factors
controlling their evolution and formation. The second chapter presents a
broad-scale overview of the Brazilian coast, identifying the main factors
acting to differentiate various sectors along that coastline, and the factors
that control the large-scale development of these coastal depositional sys-
tems. The following nine chapters outline the types and evolution of bar-
riers of the southern, southeastern, northeastern, and northern coastal re-
gions of Brazil.
VI Preface
Acknowledgements. We thank all our colleagues who struggled

through this production with us. Your patience has been nothing short of
wonderful. We sincerely thank the Brazilian scientific agencies, and our
Universities for providing funding for many of us to conduct research in
various parts of Brazil. We particularly wish to thank Mary Lee Eggart for
her superb cartographic work and assistance, Eduardo G. Barboza and Ma-
ria Luiza C. C. Rosa for their editorial assistance, and Janet Sterritt from
Springer for her patience, support and help getting this work published. As
usual, responsibility for all deficiencies and errors rests with the editors.
Fig. 3.8 – Thanks to Wiley for permission to reprint figure 4 from Hesp
et al. (2007) Morphology of the Itapeva to Tramandaí transgressive dune-
field barrier system and Mid- to Late seal level change. Earth Surface
Processes and Landforms 32:407–414 (Copyright year 2006, Wiley Inter-
science). Fig. 3.20 – Thanks to Elsevier for permission to reprint figure 6
from the paper of Dillenburg SR, Tomazelli LJ, Barboza EG (2004) Bar-
rier evolution and placer formation at Bujuru Southern Brazil. Marine Geol-
ogy 203:43–56 (Copyright year 2003, Elsevier).
Sérgio R. Dillenburg and Patrick A. Hesp
July, 2008
List of Contributors
Angela B. Almeida, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Geociências, Curso de Pós-Graduação em Geologia, Rua Barão de
Geremoabo s/n, 40170-290, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil,
angela.brito@petrobras.com.br
Ana C. S. Andrade, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Departamento de

Geografia, Avenida Marechal Rondon s/n, 49100-000, São Cristóvão,
Sergipe, Brasil, acsaa@hotmail.com
Rodolfo J. Angulo, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências

da Terra, Centro Politécnico, BR-277, Caixa Postal 19001, 81531-970,
Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil, angulo@ufpr.br
Nils E. Asp Neto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Campus Universitário

de Bragança, Alameda Leandro Ribeiro s/n, 68600-000, Bragança, Pará,
Brasil, nilsasp@ufpa.br
Mario L. Assine, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de

Geociências e Ciências Exatas, Avenida 24-A 1515, 13506-900, Rio Claro,
São Paulo, Brasil, assine@rc.unesp.br
Ricardo N. Ayup-Zouain, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

Instituto de Geociências, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Caixa Postal
15001, 91509-900, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil,
ricardo.ayup@ufrgs.br
Eduardo G. Barboza, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

eduardo.barboza@ufrgs.br
Abílio C. S. P. Bittencourt, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Geociências, Rua Barão de Geremoabo s/n, 40170-290, Salvador, Bahia,
Brasil, abilio@cpgg.ufba.br
VIII List of Contributors
Vanda Claudino-Sales, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento

de Geografia, Campus do Pici, Bloco 911, 60115-170, Fortaleza, Ceará,
Brasil, vcs@ufc.br
Luiz C. P. Clerot, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto

de Geociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Avenida
Bento Gonçalves 9500, 91509-900, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul,
Brasil, lclerot@yahoo.com.br
Marcelo C.L. Cohen, Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de

Geociências, Campus da UFPA, Av. Augusto Correa 1, 66075-110,
Belém, Pará, Brasil, mcohen80@hotmail.com
Francisco R. Costa, Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de

Geociências, Campus Universitário de Marabá (Campus II), 68503-080,
Marabá, Pará, Brasil, frc@ufpa.br
Maria Cristina de Souza, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de

Ciências da Terra, Centro Politécnico, BR-277, Caixa Postal 19001,
81531-970, Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil, cristinasouza@ufpr.br
Gilberto T. M. Dias, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento

de Geologia, Avenida General Milton Tavares Souza s/n, 24210-346,
Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, gilbertotmd@globo.com
Sérgio R. Dillenburg, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

sergio.dillenburg@ufrgs.br
Daniel R. do Nascimento Jr., Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de

Geociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica e Geotectônica,
Rua do Lago 562, 05508-080, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil,
danieljr@usp.br
José M. L. Dominguez, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Geociências, Campus Universitário de Ondina, Rua Barão de Geremoabo
s/n, 40170-290, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, landim@ufba.br
Paulo C. F. Giannini, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de

Geociências, Rua do Lago 562, 05508-080, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil,
pcgianni@usp.br
List of Contributors IX
Carlos C. F. Guedes, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de

Geociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica e Geotectônica,
Rua do Lago 562, 05508-080, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil,
ccfguedes@usp.br
Patrick A. Hesp, Louisiana State University, Department of Geography

and Anthropology, 227 Howe Russell Geoscience Complex, 70803, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, USA, pahesp@lsu.edu
Björn Kjerfve, Department of Oceanography and Department of Geo-

graphy, College of Geosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station,
TX 77843, USA, kjerfve@tamu.edu
Ruben J. Lara, Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Fahrenheitstrasse 6,

28359, Bremen, Germany, ruben.lara@zmt-bremen.de
Guilherme C. Lessa, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Geociências, Campus Universitário de Ondina, Rua Barão de Geremoabo
s/n, 40170-020, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, gclessa@gmail.com
Luiz P. Maia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Instituto de Ciências do

Mar, Avenida Abolição 3207, 60165-081, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil,
parente@ufc.br
C. Thaís Martinho, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

Instituto de Geociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências,
Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, 91509-900, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do
Sul, Brasil, ctmartinho@yahoo.com
Graziela Miot da Silva, Nicholls State University, Physical Sciences,

st
906 East 1 Street, 70310, Thibodaux, Louisiana, USA, grazie-
la.silva@nicholls.edu
Pedro W. M. Souza-Filho Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de

Geociências, Campus da UFPA, Avenida Augusto Correa 1, 66075-110,
Belém, Pará, Brasil, walfir @ufpa.br
Ana P. B. Tanaka, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Geociências,

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica e Geotectônica, Rua do Lago
562, 05508-080, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil,
anapaulabtanaka@yahoo.com.br
X List of Contributors
Luiz J. Tomazelli, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto

de Geociências, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Caixa Postal 15001,
91509-900, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil,
luiz.tomazelli@ufrgs.br
Helenice Vital, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte,

Departamento de Geologia, Campus Universitário, Caixa Postal 1596,
59072-970, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, helenice@geologia.ufrn.br
Contents
Preface ....................................................................................................... V
List of Contributors ............................................................................... VII
Contents ................................................................................................... XI
1. Coastal Barriers – An Introduction .................................................... 1

1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................... 1
1.2 Origin of Coastal Barriers ................................................................ 2
1.3 Geologic, Oceanographic and Climatic Controls of Barriers .......... 4
1.3.1 Sea Level ............................................................................... 6
1.3.2 Substrate Slope ...................................................................... 6
1.3.3 Sediments .............................................................................. 7
1.3.4 Waves and Tides.................................................................... 8
1.3.5 Winds..................................................................................... 8
1.3.6 Antecedent Topography ........................................................ 9
1.4 Summary ......................................................................................... 10
References ............................................................................................ 10
2. The Coastal Zone of Brazil ................................................................ 17

2.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 17
2.2 Geological Background ................................................................. 19
2.3 Major Coastal Processes ................................................................ 19
2.4 Sediment Supply ............................................................................ 24
2.5 Sea-Level History .......................................................................... 24
2.5.1 High Sea Levels Prior to 120,000 yrs BP ............................ 24
2.5.2 The High Sea Level of 120,000 yrs BP ............................... 25
2.5.3 The High Sea Level of 5,600 cal yrs BP .............................. 25
2.6 Coastal Typologies ........................................................................ 26
2.6.1 The Strike-Fed Sandy Coast of Rio Grande do Sul ............. 26
2.6.2 The High-Relief Coast of Southeastern Brazil .................... 28
2.6.3 The Dip-Fed Wave-Dominated Deltaic Doast
of Eastern Brazil .................................................................. 29
XII Contents
2.6.4 The Sediment Starved Coast of Northeastern Brazil ........... 31

2.6.5 The Mesozoic Rifted Coasts: Camamu – Recôncavo
(Bahia state) and Potiguar Basins (Rio Grande do
Norte state) .......................................................................... 31
2.6.6 The Tidal Embayment of the Amazon ................................ 37
2.7 Concluding Remarks ..................................................................... 43
References ............................................................................................ 46
3. The Holocene Coastal Barriers of Rio Grande do Sul..................... 53

3.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 53
3.2 Regional Setting ............................................................................ 53
3.2.1 Geologic Setting .................................................................. 53
3.2.2 Oceanographic Setting......................................................... 54
3.2.3 Climatic Setting ................................................................... 54
3.2.4 Coastal Sediments ............................................................... 56
3.2.5 Holocene Sea Level History...................................................57
3.3 The Holocene Barrier .................................................................... 57
3.3.1 Sector 1 – Torres to Tramandaí ........................................... 60
3.3.2 Sector 2 – Tramandaí to Mostardas ..................................... 60
3.3.3 Sector 3 – Mostardas to Estreito .......................................... 60
3.3.4 Sector 4 – Estreito to Verga................................................. 61
3.3.5 Sector 5 – Verga to Chuí ..................................................... 61
3.3.6 The Regressive Barrier of Torres–Tramandaí ..................... 63
3.3.7 The Transgressive/Stationary Barrier of
Tramandaí–Mostardas......................................................... 68
3.3.8 The Transgressive Barrier of Mostardas–Estreito ............... 77
3.3.9 The Regressive Barrier of Estreito–Verga........................... 84
3.4 Summary........................................................................................ 87
References ............................................................................................ 88
4. The Holocene Barrier Systems of the Santa Catarina Coast,

Southern Brazil ................................................................................... 93
4.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 93
4.2 Geological Setting ......................................................................... 93
4.2.1 Tectonics ............................................................................. 94
4.2.2 Basement Rocks .................................................................. 97
4.3 Climate .......................................................................................... 97
4.4 Waves, Tides and Littoral Drift ................................................... 100
4.5 Sea Level ..................................................................................... 102
4.6 Barrier Types of the Guaratuba (PR) to Torres (SC) Region ...... 102
4.6.1 Province I .......................................................................... 102
4.6.2 Province II ......................................................................... 103
Contents XIII
4.6.3 Province III ........................................................................ 108

4.6.4 Province IV........................................................................ 122
4.7 Discussion and Conclusion .......................................................... 127
References .......................................................................................... 129
5. The Holocene Barrier Systems of Paranaguá and Northern

Santa Catarina Coasts, Southern Brazil......................................... 135
5.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 135
5.2 Regional Setting .......................................................................... 138
5.2.1 Geological Background ..................................................... 138
5.2.2 Holocene Paleo-Sea Level Trend ...................................... 138
5.2.3 Climate and Oceanography ............................................... 139
5.2.4 Fluvial Discharge and Sediment Yield .............................. 141
5.3 The Coastal Plains ....................................................................... 143
5.3.1 The Estuaries ..................................................................... 143
5.3.2 The Paleo-Estuarine Plains ................................................ 144
5.3.3 The Barriers ....................................................................... 145
5.4 The Holocene Barriers ................................................................. 150
5.4.1 Sedimentary Composition ................................................. 152
5.4.2 Sedimentary Facies ............................................................ 153
5.4.3 Barrier Thickness and Limiting Surfaces .......................... 159
5.4.4 Barrier Evolutionary Model .............................................. 161
5.4.5 The Paranaguá Barrier in Perspective ............................... 168
5.5 Summary ...................................................................................... 171
References .......................................................................................... 172
6. Sedimentology and Morphological Evolution of the Ilha

Comprida Barrier System, Southern São Paulo Coast ................. 177
6.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 177
6.2.1 Physiographical Scenario .................................................. 178
6.2.2 Climatic and Oceanographic Aspects ................................ 181
6.2.3 Holocene Paleosea-Level Trend ........................................ 184
6.2.4 Stratigraphy of Quaternary Coastal Deposits .................... 185
6.3 Present Depositional Systems ...................................................... 186
6.3.1 Beach-Dune ....................................................................... 186
6.3.2 Lagoon ............................................................................... 193
6.4 Old Depositional Systems............................................................ 197
6.4.1 Paleobeaches and Paleodunes............................................ 197
6.4.2 Paleolagoon ....................................................................... 213
6.5 Proposed Evolutionary Model ...................................................... 214
References .......................................................................................... 219
XIV Contents
7. Barrier and Beach Ridge Systems of the Rio de Janeiro Coast .... 225
7.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 225
7.2 Geologic Setting .......................................................................... 228
7.3 Relative Sea Level Change .......................................................... 230
7.4 Physical Forcing Functions ......................................................... 231
7.5 Beach ridge Plains ....................................................................... 232
7.6 Coastal Dunes .............................................................................. 235
7.7 Coastal Barriers ........................................................................... 235
7.7.1 Barrier Islands and Spits .................................................... 235
7.7.2 Single Transgressive Barriers ............................................ 240
7.7.3 Double Transgressive Barriers .......................................... 242
7.8 Evolution and Chronology of the Rio de Janeiro Barriers........... 244
7.9 Conclusions ................................................................................. 248
References .......................................................................................... 248
8. The Holocene Barrier Strandplains of the State of Bahia............. 253

8.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 253
8.2.1 Geology ............................................................................. 253
8.2.2 Atmospheric Circulation, Waves and Tides ...................... 255
8.2.3 Sediment Dispersal ............................................................ 258
8.2.4 Climate .............................................................................. 258
8.2.5 Continental Shelf Physiography and Sedimentation ......... 258
8.2.6 Sea-Level History and Coastal Evolution ......................... 259
8.3 The Caravelas Strandplain ........................................................... 261
8.3.1 Development of the Abrolhos Inner Reef Tract ................ 261
8.3.2 Quaternary Evolution of the Caravelas Strandplain .......... 262
8.4 The Jequitinhonha Strandplain .................................................... 270
8.5 The Lagoa Encantada Bay ........................................................... 276
8.6 The Itapicuru Strandplain ............................................................ 280
8.7 Discussion.................................................................................... 282
References .......................................................................................... 285
9. The Mesotidal Barriers of Rio Grande do Norte ........................... 289

9.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 289
9.2 Geological and Geomorphological Coastal Setting ..................... 289
9.2.1 Potiguar Basin ................................................................... 292
9.2.2 Pernambuco-Paraíba Basin ................................................ 293
9.3 Climate ........................................................................................ 293
9.4 Coastal Processes ......................................................................... 294
9.4.1 Winds................................................................................. 294
9.4.2 Waves ................................................................................ 294
Contents XV
9.4.3 Currents ............................................................................. 295

9.4.4 Tides .................................................................................. 295
9.5 Sediment Characteristics ............................................................. 296
9.6 Sea Level Changes....................................................................... 297
9.7 Barriers of Rio Grande do Norte ................................................. 298
9.8 Rio Grande do Norte Barrier Examples....................................... 299
9.8.1 Natal Reef Barrier (Beachrocks) ....................................... 299
9.8.2 Natal Barrier Dune System – Attached Barrier ................. 301
9.8.3 São Bento-Caiçara do Norte (Prograded or
Regressive) Barrier............................................................ 305
9.8.4 Galinhos Spit-Barrier Island System ................................. 306
9.8.5 Açu River Mouth............................................................... 309
9.9 Evolution of the RN Holocene Coastal Barrier ........................... 314
References .......................................................................................... 319
10. The Holocene Barriers of Maranhão, Piauí and Ceará States,

Northeastern Brazil .......................................................................... 325
10.1 Introduction ............................................................................... 325
10.2 Geology ..................................................................................... 325
10.3 Climate....................................................................................... 326
10.4 Littoral Dynamics ...................................................................... 327
10.5 Coastal Gemorphology and Barriers of Maranhão State ........... 330
10.6 Coastal Geomorphology and Barriers of Piauí State ................. 332
10.7 Coastal Geomorphology and Barriers in the State of Ceará ...... 333
10.7.1 Attached Barriers ........................................................... 333
10.7.2 Barrier Spits ................................................................... 338
10.7.3 Foredune Plain Prograded Barriers ............................... 341
10.8 Discussion: Dunes in the Tropics .............................................. 341
10.9 Conclusions ............................................................................... 342
References .......................................................................................... 343
11. The Subsiding Macrotidal Barrier Estuarine System

of the Eastern Amazon Coast, Northern Brazil ............................. 347
11.1 Introduction ............................................................................... 347
11.2 Regional Setting ........................................................................ 348
11.2.1 Structural Setting ........................................................... 348
11.2.2 Continental Shelf Morphology and Sedimentology ...... 350
11.2.3 Climate .......................................................................... 352
11.2.4 Oceanography ................................................................ 352
11.3 Data Sources .............................................................................. 355
11.4 Evolution of the Barrier-Estuarine System ................................ 366
XVI Contents
11.5 The Amazon Mangrove Coast in Perspective............................ 369

11.6 Conclusions ............................................................................... 372
References .......................................................................................... 372
Subject Index .......................................................................................... 377

Chapter 8
The Holocene Barrier Strandplains of the State
of Bahia
José M. L. Dominguez, Ana C. S. Andrade, Angela B. Almeida and

Abílio C. S. P. Bittencourt
8.1 Introduction
This chapter presents a review of the current state of knowledge of the

strandplains (regressive barriers) present along the coast of the state of Ba-
hia, located in the central portion of the Brazilian coastal zone (Fig. 8.1).
The state of Bahia has the longest coastline in Brazil, totaling almost 1,000
km. This coastal zone presents us with the opportunity to investigate res-
ponses of strandplain systems to different forcing factors, such as sea-level
changes and sediment supply and local physiographic controls (effects of
incised valleys and coral reefs).
8.2 Regional Setting
8.2.1 Geology
Figure 8.1 presents a simplified geological map of the Bahia coastal zone.
The general framework of the coastal zone has a strong control of the geo-
logical heritage which goes back to the Early Proterozoic-Archean. The
oldest geological elements of the coastal zone are from south to north: the
Araçuaí Foldbelt (Late Proterozoic), and the São Francisco cráton (Early
Proterozoic-Archean). These two major provinces have exerted a funda-
mental control on the development of the coastal zone, during and after the
South American – Africa breakup. Cratonic areas as opposed to foldbelts
are characterized by a very thick and stable continental crust (Matos 1999,
254 J.M.L. Dominguez et al.
Alkmim 2004). Thus, during the continental break-up, the rifted areas are
much narrower than those developed in the foldbelt province. Thermal
subsidence after break-up is also very limited in the cratonic areas. As a
result, the continental shelf where the coastal zone intersects the foldbelt is
much wider than in the cratonic section. In fact the cratonic section is cha-
racterized by the narrowest continental shelf of the entire Brazilian conti-
nental margin. This “cratonic coast” is also one of the few stretches of the
Brazilian coast where Mesozoic rift basins outcrop, possibly reflecting li-
mited thermal subsidence since the break-up (Karner et al. 1992). These
are the Recôncavo, Camamu, and Almada basins. On the exhumed rem-
nants of these rifted basins, some of the largest bays of Brazil developed as
a result of the Postglacial Marine Transgression. These are the Todos of
Santos and the Camamu bays. A third bay, the Almada (Lagoa Encantada)
bay has been completely filled during the Holocene (Almeida 2006).
Starting in the Early Miocene and possibly extending up to the Pliocene,
an important depositional event took place along almost the entire coastal
zone of Brazil, which resulted in the deposition of the Barreiras Formation
The origin of the Barreiras Formation is still not completely understood.
Traditionally it has been interpreted as the result of deposition in alluvial
systems. More recently however, several papers have shown that in north-
ern-northeastern Brazil, deposition, at least in its lower portion, took place
in transitional coastal environments such as estuaries and tidal flats (Ros-
setti 2006 and D.F. Rossetti, personal communication). According to these
more recent interpretations most of the Barreiras Formation is the result of
a coastal onlap associated with Mid-Early Miocene high sea levels (Arai
2006).
The Barreiras Formation is present along the entire coast of Bahia, ex-
cept for that section where the Mesozoic rifts outcrop along the coast. This
might suggest that this section has possibly experienced uplift during the
Miocene or afterwards. Differential erosion between crystalline rocks of
the São Francisco craton and the sedimentary rocks of the Mesozoic rifts
produced the present day physiography of this section (Fig. 8.2), in which
the rift basins occupy low lying areas (40 m high) bordered abruptly by
Precambrian terrains (100–200 m high). These low lying areas were later
flooded during the Quaternary highstands originating the Todos os Santos,
Camamu and Almada bays.
During the Quaternary, strandplains of different dimensions and varying
evolutionary histories developed along this coastal zone, as a result of
complex interactions between sediment supply, sea-level history, coral reef
8 The Holocene Barrier Strandplains of the State of Bahia 255
development, waves and tides, and climate. The most extensive

strandplains present along the coastal zone are shown in Fig. 8.1.
8.2.2 Atmospheric Circulation, Waves and Tides
The basic elements of the general atmospheric circulation along the coast
of Bahia include: (i) air masses originating in the South Atlantic high-
pressure cell and (ii) periodic advances of air masses of polar origin. Hur-
ricanes do not affect coastal processes in Bahia. The South Atlantic anti-
cyclone cell constitutes the main centre of circulation. This anticyclone
cell is located in a fairly fixed position in the South Atlantic ocean, and
undergoes only slight seasonal variations. This permanence is reflected in
the extreme constancy in speed and direction of the trade winds. During
the summer, northeasterly and easterly trade winds blow along the coast.
During the winter southeasterly winds dominate. Antarctic polar fronts in-
vade the South American continent in great anti-cyclones east of the Andes
Mountain range moving along the coast towards the equator and reaching
o
latitudes as far north as 10 S during the winter. Gale force winds have been
reported associated with these polar air masses (Bandeira et al. 1975).
A discussion of the wave generation mechanisms for the eastern coast of
Brazil in presented in Dominguez et al. (1992). Because of the extreme
constancy in the speed and direction of the trade winds, and the geographic
location of the study area, lying entirely within the trade wind belt, waves
generated by these winds strongly influence coastal processes in Bahia. N-
NE waves are somewhat present all year round. Beginning in April and ex-
tending through August, E-SE waves comprise a significant percentage on
the wave trains impinging the coast. Thus, during the fall (Apr.–May) and
the winter (Jun.–Aug.) east-southeastern waves with average heights of
1.5–2.0 m and average periods of 6 to 7 s are common. During the spring
(Sep.–Nov.) and the summer (Dec.–Feb.) north-northeastern waves with
average heights of 1.0 m and periods of 5 s or less dominate in the region.
As a result of this seasonal variation in wave regime, reversals in long-
shore sediment transport also occur seasonally, as has been shown by Fa-
rias et al. (1985) who examined seasonal beach rotation at Armação beach
in Salvador city.
Tidal range along the coast is slightly over 2 m (Lower Mesotidal) and
exhibits a small tendency to increase from south to north.
Fig. 8.1 Simplified geology of the coastal zone of the State of Bahia, which ex-
tends from Mucuri (south) to Mangue Seco (north). The small rectangles indicate
the locations of studied areas
Fig. 8.2 Digital elevation model (DEM) showing the differences in elevation
between the Mesozoic rifts and the Precambrian basement
8.2.3 Sediment Dispersal
Bittencourt et al. (2000) using the average directions of main wave fronts,
their heights and periods, modeled the wave-refraction patterns along the
coast of Bahia, and from that deduced sandy sediment dispersion along the
coastline. They concluded that overall, the longshore transport from Mucu-
ri to Salvador is dominantly northwards, whereas from Salvador to Man-
gue Seco it is dominantly southwestwards. Integration of this regional ap-
proach with more detailed wave refraction models made available in
Dominguez (2003), Dominguez et al. (2006) and Dominguez and Corrêa-
Gomes (2006), has allowed the production of a more refined longshore se-
diment dispersal model which is shown in Fig. 8.1.
8.2.4 Climate
Climate along the coastal zone is humid. The largest annual rainfall
(>2,000 mm) is concentrated in a zone that extends from Ilhéus to Salva-
dor. North and south of that zone annual rainfall drops to a minimum of
1,400 mm.
8.2.5 Continental Shelf Physiography and Sedimentation
The continental shelf from Belmonte to Mangue Seco is very narrow with
an average width of 20 km. In front of Salvador and Ilheus the shelf break
is located just 5–8 km from the shoreline. The shelf break along the entire
study area is just 60 m deep. South of Belmonte the shelf widens dramati-
cally forming the Royal Charlotte and the Abrolhos Bank as a result of
volcanic activity during the Paleocene-Eocene (Szatmari et al. 2000).
Sedimentation on the continental shelf is dominantly biogenic, particu-
larly in the middle and outer shelves. The major constituent of continental
shelf sediments is coralline algae. Siliciclastics are present only on the in-
ner shelf in close proximity with the present day shoreline. Recent studies
have shown that the middle and outer shelves are characterized by very
low rates of sedimentation, since inundation after the Last Glacial Maxi-
mum (Freire 2006). Only 3–4 m of biogenic sediments have accumulated
in these shelf areas (Freire 2006). The most important coral reefs buildups
are present in the southern and north-central coast of the State. These areas
are characterized by the existence of suitable hard substrates for reef
growth (abrasion terraces, basement and structural highs) and low sedi-
ment supply. Reef development has exerted a strong control on coastal se-
dimentation by inducing changes in coastal hydrodynamics, as discussed
below.
8.2.6 Sea-Level History and Coastal Evolution
At least two episodes of higher than present sea levels have been identified
for the last 123,000 yrs BP (Suguio et al. 1985, Dominguez et al. 1987,
Martin et al. 1987). The Penultimate Transgression (Bittencourt et al.
1979) reached a maximum around 123,000 yrs BP, when sea level was po-
sitioned around 5 to 8 ± 2 m above the present level (Martin et al. 1980;
Lambeck et al. 2002). The subsequent regressive trend culminated around
19,000 yrs BP, when sea level reached a minimum of 100–120 m below
the present level (Hanebuth et al. 2003). The most recent transgressive epi-
sode, which initiated around 19,000 yrs BP, is known as the Last Trans-
gression in Bahia (Bittencourt et al. 1979) and reached a maximum ap-
proximately 5,600 cal yrs BP when sea level stood 4–5 m above the
14
present level. This last event left several records that were dated by the C
method, allowing the construction of relative sea-level curves for the last
7,700 cal yrs BP (Suguio et al. 1985, 1988; Martin et al. 1987, 2003).
The relative sea-level curve constructed for the Salvador region is by far
the most detailed of the entire eastern-northeastern coast of Brazil. Martin
et al. (2003) have recently presented a new version of this curve incorpo-
rating corrections for the reservoir effect and calibrations for calendar ages
(Fig. 8.3).
Angulo and Lessa (1997) questioned the existence of the two high-
frequency sea-level oscillations of the Salvador curve. According to these
authors, most of the sea-level indicators used in the determination of the
two high-frequency oscillations come from mollusks and not vermetid in-
crustations, which they consider to be the best and more precise indicator.
Martin et al. (1998, 2003) however, pointed out that a sea-level curve
should not be constructed based on a single sea-level indicator but should
incorporate information from other biological, sedimentological, ar-
chaeological and morphological indicators.
Besides these two transgressive events a high sea level older than
123,000 yrs BP was recognized in the northern portion of the State of Ba-
hia by Martin et al. (1980, 1988), based on geomorphological evidence
(fossil sea cliffs). This highstand could possibly be correlated to the Bar-
rier II system of the Rio Grande do Sul coast (Villwock et al. 1986).
Integration of this sea-level history with mapping of coastal environ-
ments (Bittencourt et al. 1981; Dominguez et al. 1981, 1987; Suguio et al.
1981; Barbosa et al. 1986; Dominguez and Wanless 1991, Martin and
Dominguez 1994) has demonstrated that during rising sea level, barrier isl-
and-lagoonal-estuarine systems are the dominant mode of sedimentation.
Rivers do not reach the inner shelf but tend to construct bay head deltas in
protected environments such as estuaries. Beach or foredune ridge plains
are virtually absent. This was the dominant mode of sedimentation along
the coast of Brazil during the Last Transgression.
Fig. 8.3 Relative sea-level curve for the Salvador region (see Fig. 8.1 for location).
Modified from Martin et al. (2003)
By contrast, sea-level fall poses highly unfavorable conditions to the

genesis and maintainance of barrier island-lagoonal-estuarine systems. La-
goons and bays become emergent. Beach or foredune ridge plains rapidly
prograde, creating regressive deposits. Rivers empty directly onto the inner
shelf. This is the case for the coast of Brazil today where narrow elongated
barrier islands separated from the mainland by a lagoon/estuary are virtual-
ly absent, although common in the past. These features have been replaced
by extensive beach or foredune ridge plains (regressive barriers).
This evolutionary model fits nicely in Boyd’s classificatory scheme for
coastal zone environments (Boyd et al. 1992).
This varied geological-geomorphological setting allows us to explore
different evolutionary histories for strandplains (regressive barriers) during
the Late Quaternary. In order to illustrate how different combinations of
the factors discussed above interact to produce different styles of
strandplain evolution, four examples are discussed, for which detailed in-
formation is available (Fig. 8.1):
(i) The Caravelas Strandplain is located in the southern portion of
the State of Bahia. It has no association with a major river. Its
Quaternary evolution has been controlled, besides sea-level
history, by the coeval development of the inner coral reef tract
of the Abrolhos.
(ii) The Jequitinhonha strandplain is the largest strandplain on the
coast of Bahia. It is associated with one of the largest rivers
emptying into this section of the Brazilian coastline. It can be
considered as an example of a wave-dominated delta.
(iii) The Lagoa Encantada bay, associated with the small Almada
river, is located in the central portion of the state. It presents
an evolution that includes an initial phase during which it be-
haved as an open marine bay, later infilled and replaced by a
prograding beach or foredune ridge plain.
(iv) The Itapicuru strandplain, located in the northern portion of
the coastal zone, is associated with the Itapicuru river. Its
evolution resembles the classical scheme for the infilling of a

wave-dominated estuary.
8.3 The Caravelas Strandplain
The Caravelas strandplain fronts a wide continental shelf extending up to

246 km offshore – (Fig. 8.1) forming the Abrolhos Bank of volcanic ori-
gin. Ar-Ar ages indicate that the volcanic activity spanned the Paleocene-
2
Eocene (Szatmari et al. 2000). The strandplain has an area of 800 km and
is bordered by the tablelands of the Barreiras Formation (Fig. 8.4). The
Abrolhos coral reefs, present on this shelf, comprise the largest and the
richest reef complex of the Western South Atlantic (Leão 1982). These
reefs have developed on top of volcanic rocks (outer reef tract) and struc-
tural highs (inner reef tract) of the Abrolhos bank (Mohrriak 2004). During
the Quaternary the evolution of the Caravelas strandplain was strongly
controlled by sea-level changes and the development of the Abrolhos inner
reef tract.
8.3.1 Development of the Abrolhos Inner Reef Tract
Data obtained from a core taken in the Coroa Vermelha reef (Fig. 8.4) al-
lowed the calculation of coral reef growth rates. The island surface is about
1.5 m above mean sea level (Leão 1982). The Coroa Vermelha core
reached a total depth of 15.2 m. The top of the pre-Holocene sequence was
found at 11.2 m below present mean sea level. Coral samples collected in
different depths in relation to the present mean sea level provided ages of
7,371–7,096 cal yrs BP (–11 m), 5,728–5,485 cal yrs BP (–8.5 m) and
4,527–4,287 cal yrs BP (–2.4 m). A sample dated from the reef border
provided an age over 1,683–1,504 cal yrs BP (Leão and Kikuchi 1999).
Leão and Kikuchi (1999, 2001) and Leão et al. (2003) have recon-
structed the evolution of the Abrolhos inner reef tract in four major stages:
Stage A (initial reef establishment) – the oldest age from the Coroa
Vermelha core indicates that during the Holocene the corals started colo-
nizing the area around 7,200 cal yrs BP, after rates of sea-level rise have
significantly decreased (see Fig. 8.3). The reef growth rate in this stage
was small, around 1.5 mm/year.
Fig. 8.4 Simplified geology-geomorphology of the Caravelas strandplain (see

Fig. 8.1 for location). Modified from Andrade (2000) and Andrade et al. (2003)
Stage B (rapid vertical accretion of the reefs) – this stage took place
around the maximum of the Last Transgression and it was characterized by
a rapid reef growth, with rates in the order of 5.5 mm/year. The corals
dated from the top of the Coroa Vermelha core (4,527–4,287 cal yrs BP)
indicate that by this time this reef reached the present mean sea level.
Stage C (lateral growth of the reefs) – the vertical accretion of the reefs
stopped when they reached sea level. Since that time, the reefs have had
their tops truncated and started growing sideways. The age of 1,683–1,504
cal yrs BP, obtained from the border of the reef, which is younger than the
one from the top, corroborates this statement.
Stage D (reef degradation) – this stage is marked by a decline of the reef
growth which persists to the present day, possibly resulting from the com-
bined effect of a drop in sea level and progradation that brought the shore-
line close to the reefs thus increasing turbidity.
8.3.2 Quaternary Evolution of the Caravelas Strandplain
Five major geologic-geomorphological units were mapped in the Carave-

las strandplain (Fig. 8.4): Pleistocene and Holocene beach/foredune ridges,
lagoonal deposits, freshwater marshes and tidal flats/mangroves. In the
subsurface, vibracoring allowed the identification of sedimentary facies
deposited in the littoral zone, shoreface, lagoon, mangrove and freshwater

wetlands.
The evolutionary model proposed for the Caravelas strandplain (An-
drade 2000, Andrade et al. 2003) based on integration of radiocarbon dat-
ing, vibracoring, and surface mapping is summarized below:
Stage I: Construction of the Pleistocene strandplain (Fig. 8.5) - This
stage corresponds to the regressive event that followed the maximum of
the Penultimate Transgression (~123,000 yrs BP). During this period, se-
diments brought by longshore currents into the area, from the eroding sea
cliffs of the Barreiras Formation located both north and south, favored
progradation of the coastline through the successive accretion of
beach/foredune ridges. The initial accumulation of sediments in the plain
might have been favored by a change in the initial shoreline orientation,
represented by the Barreiras Formation sea cliffs, later enhanced by the
development of the Pleistocene reefs. The paleogeographic reconstruction
depicted in Fig. 8.5 shows that the coastline exhibited a great lateral conti-
nuity and was made up of sandy beaches. The general configuration of the
Pleistocene coastline was very similar to the present day coastline, reflect-
ing the presence of offshore obstacles such as the Parcel das Paredes coral
reefs. Analysis of beach/foredune ridge alignments show progradational
phases intercalated with erosional episodes as evidenced by the presence
of beach/foredune ridge truncations. Inversions in the longshore transport
direction, as indicated by sandy spit growth, are also observed.
Stage II: Drowning of the Pleistocene strandplain during the Last Trans-
gression (Fig. 8.6) – The Last Transgression drowned the Pleistocene
strandplain, with partial erosion and reworking of the Pleistocene
beach/foredune ridge terraces. As a result a barrier island/lagoon system
was formed. The paleo-geographical reconstruction of the strandplain by
that time shows the existence of two lagoonal systems: one located in the
southern sector (Lagoonal System I) and the other in the northern sector of
the Caravelas strandplain (Lagoonal System II). Radiocarbon dating of
these lagoonal sediments shows that the barrier island/lagoon system was
already present before the maximum of the Last Transgression (5,600 cal
yrs BP). Strong evidence of the presence of a lagoon around 7,700 cal yrs
BP was found in a vibracore, retrieved from the southern sector of the
strandplain. Shells collected in a mangroves facies near the contact with
the superimposed foreshore facies provided an age of 7,913–7,802 cal yrs
BP The sea level by that time can be positioned 6.7 m below the present
one, since the mangrove facies, which accumulated in an intertidal zone, is
now located about 6.7 m below its modern equivalent.
Fig. 8.5 Caravelas strandplain. Evolutionary Stage I – Construction of the Pleisto-

cene strandplain. See text for details. Modified from Andrade (2000) and Andrade
et al. (2003)
Another important aspect is the presence by that time, of the paleo-

Ponta do Catoeiro cape in the barrier island chain that protected lagoonal
system I. This cape-like form of the coastline is probably the result of the
influence of the Coroa Vermelha, Viçosa and Sebastião Gomes reefs on
the wave refraction-diffraction patterns in shaping the barrier island chain.
At the lagoonal system II, the southern tip of the barrier island was anc-
hored in the paleo-Ponta da Baleia cape and extended northwards as a re-
sult of the dominant longshore drift. A general north-directed longshore
drift affected almost the entire coastline of the barrier island system by that
time.
Fig. 8.6 Caravelas strandplain. Evolutionary Stage II – Drowning of the Pleisto-

cene strandplain during the Last Trangression. See text for details. Modified from
Andrade (2000) and Andrade et al. (2003)
Radiocarbon dates available for the paleolagoon sediments (Andrade

2000, Andrade et al. 2003) suggest that by the maximum of the Last
Transgression the paleolagoons were already filled up with sediments.
Stage III: Coastline progradation in the embayment situated between the
paleo-Ponta da Baleia and Ponta do Catoeiro (Fig. 8.7) – The sea-level
drop after the maximum of the Last Transgression (5,600 cal yrs BP) fa-
vored coastline progradation. Apparently, this progradation happened first
in the small embayment situated between Ponta da Baleia and Ponta do
Catoeiro. In other sectors of the strandplain, the coastline did not prograde
at first in a significant way.
Fig. 8.7 Caravelas strandplain. Evolutionary Stage III – Initial coastline prograda-
tion. See text for details. Modified from Andrade (2000) and Andrade et al. (2003)
Stage IV: Beginning of the sedimentation in the northern sector of the

Caravelas strandplain (Fig. 8.8) – This stage marks a major change in the
dominant longshore drift direction in the northern sector of the strandplain.
Initially, the dominant direction was northeastwards and later changed to
southwards. A possible reason for this inversion could be the emersion of
the inner reef tract by 4,415 cal yrs BP, as a result of the combined effect
of reef growth/sea-level drop. This emersion blocked in a significant way,
the propagation of southeast waves into the northern sector. As this hap-
pened, the northeastern waves became more effective in determining the
dominant longshore drift direction, therefore originating an inversion in
the net longshore transport direction in that sector (Fig. 8.9).
Fig. 8.8 Caravelas strandplain. Evolutionary Stage IV – Beginning of the sedimen-

tation in the northern sector. See text for details. Modified from Andrade (2000)
and Andrade et al. (2003)
By that time, two major capes, the paleo-Ponta da Baleia and the paleo-
Ponta do Catoeiro were present. This general shoreline orientation is in
conformity with present coastal processes.
Stage V: Erosional episodes (Fig. 8.10) – Beach-ridge orientations in the
northern sector of the strandplain indicate that during the Holocene, severe
episodes of shoreline erosion have occurred, generating truncations in
beach/foredune-ridge alignment.
The most dramatic erosional episode recorded in the strandplain is the

one shown in Fig. 8.10 which resulted in erosion of the paleo-Ponta da
Baleia cape. Radiocarbon ages of vegetable debris collected from a la-
goonal facies that infill the low-lying area associated with this
beach/foredune ridge truncation and from shells collected from the
beach/foredune ridge located closest to the truncation provided ages of
2,338–2,153 cal yrs BP and 2,353–2,331 cal yrs BP respectively. Andrade
(2000) and Andrade et al. (2003) have attributed this erosional episode to
the most recent high-frequency sea-level oscillation of the Salvador sea-
level curve based on the coincidence of the radiocarbon dates. This ero-
sional episode was followed by an intensification of the southward di-
rected longshore drift, which caused the displacement of the Caravelas
channel as depicted in Fig. 8.11. This displacement could have been re-
sponsible for the severe erosion that affected Caçumba Island by that time.
The existence of a possible paleochannel with a geometry like that pre-
sented in Fig. 8.11 is suggested by the presence of a tidal channel facies in
vibracores at this location. Radiocarbon dating of mollusk shells and peat
associated with this erosional shoreline provided ages of 1,310–1,273 cal
yrs BP and 1,175–980 cal yrs BP respectively in the southern and northern
portion of the plain.
Stage VI: Renewed coastline progradation (Fig. 8.12) – This final evolu-
tionary stage corresponds to a renewed coastline progradation after the se-
vere erosional episode of Stage V. The growth of the Ponta da Baleia cape
in association with further emergence and lateral growth of the coral reefs
of Sebastião Gomes, Coroa Vermelha, Viçosa and Parcel das Paredes
created a low energy zone in the neighborhood of the Caçumba Island, fa-
voring the deposition of fine sediments, in extensive mangroves/tidal flats.
As a result, a change in sedimentation style occurred in this sector of the
strandplain, which began to present characteristics more typical of a tide-
dominated environment.
Fig. 8.9 Refraction diagrams (wave heights) for NE (A) and SE (B) waves show-
ing the blocking effects of the coral reefs. See text for details
Fig. 8.10 Caravelas strandplain. Evolutionary Stage V – Severe coastline erosion

at Ponta da Baleia cape, possibly related to the most recent high-frequency oscilla-
tion of the Salvador sea-level curve. See text for details. Modified from Andrade
(2000) and Andrade et al. (2003)
8.4 The Jequitinhonha Strandplain

2
The Jequitinhonha strandplain has a total area of 800 km (Fig. 8.13). The
2
Jequitinhonha river drains an area of 70,315 km , and has a sediment
6
discharge of 7.89 x 10 t/year. The Pardo river also empties into this
2
plain (drainage basin: 33,070 km ). The large sediment discharge of the
Jequitinhonha river is the result of a combination of high mean relief
Fig. 8.11 Caravelas strandplain. Evolutionary Stage V (cont.) – Southward dis-

placement of the Caravelas channel due to intensification of the southward di-
rected longshore drift, around 1,070–1,290 cal. yrs BP. See text for details. Mod-
ified from Andrade (2000) and Andrade et al. (2003)
and precipitation values in the drainage basin of that river. Major river
discharges occur during the southern hemisphere summer as a result of ad-
vection of cold fronts along the hinterland, and the southward migration of
the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). During the winter, the cold
fronts advance only along the coastal zone, and precipitation on the drai-
nage basin is very much reduced.
Fig. 8.12 Caravelas strandplain. Evolutionary Stage VI – Renewed coastline pro-

gradation, after southward displacement of the Caravelas channel. See text for de-
tails. Modified from Andrade (2000) and Andrade et al. (2003)
Geological-geomorphological units present on the strandplain are very

similar to those found in Cavarelas, but for the presence of fluvial deposits
(coarse-grained channel and overbank) associated with the Jequitinhonha
and Pardo rivers.
Quaternary evolution of this plain has been reconstructed in detail by
Dominguez (1983, 1987) and follows the general scheme previously dis-
cussed for Caravelas. During the Last Transgression, the Pleistocene plain
was partly eroded and drowned. The Jequitinhonha and Pardo river valleys
were also drowned forming estuaries. Barrier Island /Lagoonal/Estuarine
Systems also formed during this time. Radiocarbon datings of lagoonal
sediments indicate that barrier islands already existed in the region by

8,600–7,700 cal yrs BP. A well-defined bay head delta has not been ob-
served in the Jequitinhonha strandplain, possibly because of the reduced
dimensions of the paleolagoon/estuary in this area. A radiocarbon date of a
paleochannel of the Jequitinhonha river, located near the city of Canaviei-
ras provided a maximum age of 6,200 cal yrs BP for this channel, suggest-
ing that by that time most of the estuary had been filled up and the river
was emptying directly into the open ocean shoreline. In the northern por-
tion of the strandplain detailed reconstruction of the paleolagoon-barrier
system also shows that by the maximum of the Holocene transgression
most of the lagoon floor had built up to the intertidal level and was occu-
pied by extensive mangrove forests, that were rapidly replaced afterwards
by freshwater marshes (Dominguez 1987, Martin and Dominguez 1994).
The Holocene portion of the Jequitinhonha strandplain is characterized
by impressive sets of beautifully preserved beach/foredune ridges, which
in some sectors are more than 10 km wide. Dominguez (1983) and Do-
minguez et al. (2006) have performed a detailed analysis of the
beach/foredune ridge geometries, particularly their truncation patterns and
concluded that the beach/foredune ridges can be grouped into three major
sets, associated with three different locations of the Jequitinhonha river
mouth (Fig. 8.14). Thus, during the Holocene, the Jequitinhonha river
mouth has changed position 3 times, through avulsion-like processes. Each
avulsion episode sequentially brought the river mouth to a more southern
position. These changes have been attributed by Dominguez (1983, 1987)
and Dominguez et al. (1987) to the high-frequency oscillations of the Sal-
vador curve, however not much supporting evidence has been provided by
this author.
The geometry of these beach/foredune ridges, their orientation and trun-
cation patterns can provide us with a wealth of information concerning
changes in wave climate and past episodes of severe shoreline erosion.
One of the most dramatic changes took place approximately 1,100 cal yrs
BP. This change caused a massive transport of sediment from the cuspate
form present at the Jequitinhonha river mouth, to the southern portion of
the plain, forcing a southward migration of the small Mogiguiçaba river
for a distance of approximately 10 km (Fig. 8.15) Dominguez et al. (2006)
have concluded, using wave-refraction and sediment dispersal modeling,
that this dramatic change resulted from an increase in the intensity of the
NE-E waves which enhanced sediment dispersal towards the southern
portion of the plain. Thus, during an extended period of time, SE and
Fig. 8.13 Simplified geology-geomorphology of the Jequitinhonha strandplain.

(See Fig. 8.1 for location). Modified from Dominguez (1983)
Fig. 8.14 Beach-ridge sets mapped for the Jequitinhonha strandplain and former
positions of the Jequitinhonha river mouth. Modified from Dominguez (1983)
SSE waves have had their frequencies greatly reduced. Martin et al. (1984)
have called attention before, to the possible existence, during the Holo-
cene, of prolonged periods of “El Nino”-like conditions affecting the east-
ern coast of Brazil. During those periods, the northward advance of cold
fronts was blocked, resulting in a decrease in S-SE waves.
It is interesting to note that a similar increase in southerly sediment
transport has also been observed in the Caravelas plain, somewhat around
that time. However the few available radiocarbon dates preclude a better
correlation between these two events.
8.5 The Lagoa Encantada Bay
Almeida (2006) has recently concluded a detailed reconstruction of the in-

filling history of the Lagoa Encantada bay (Fig. 8.16). This strandplain,
2
with a total area of 85 km , actually is located in the head of a large subma-
rine canyon, the Almada canyon, active at least since the Late Cretaceous
(Bruhn and Moraes 1989, D’Ávila et al. 2004). Surface mapping shows
that this strandplain has the same geological-geomorphological units
present in the Jequitinhonha plain. During the drop in sea level after the
Penultimate Transgression, the last incision of the valley/canyon took
place. After the Last Glacial Maximum the rapid rise in sea level rapidly
flooded the canyon, in such a way that about 7,900 cal yrs BP the entire
stretch of the incised valley was affected by open marine conditions (Fig.
8.17). By this time the Lagoa Encantada strandplain was an open marine
bay, with corals thriving in its most interior portion, where the Lagoa En-
cantada lake is located today. When rates of sea level rise decreased after
7,000 cal yrs BP, this bay was rapidly filled with marine sands (Fig. 8.18).
By the time the maximum of the Holocene highstand was reached, the in-
filling was completed (Fig. 8.19). Decrease in tidal prism as the infilling
progressed allowed the construction of a sand barrier that blocked the en-
trance of the bay. From that point on a change in the style of sedimentation
took place with the replacement of the open marine bay by a wave-
dominated estuary.
This change took place around 5,900 cal yrs BP as indicated by radi-
ocarbon dates. After construction of the sand barrier, the Almada river
mouth was continuously displaced southward during progradation of the
shoreline. One important aspect of this evolutionary history is that the se-
diments infilling the Lagoa Encantada bay are essentially marine in origin.
2
Although the Almada river (drainage basin area – 1,678 km ) has played
an important role in the incision of the valley, it has had only a minor im-
portance during the infilling phase. This is corroborated by sediment pro-
duction modeling studies for the Almada river drainage basin (Almeida
et al. 2006). These studies show that sediment production at the drainage
basin can account for only a quarter of the volume of sediments stored at
the strandplain.
Fig. 8.15 Massive southward transport of sediments, beginning around 1,100 cal
yrs BP, forcing a southward migration of the Mogiguiçaba river for a distance of
approximately 10 km. This massive transport is possibly related to an increase in
the intensity of the NE-E waves. See text for details
Fig. 8.16 Simplified geology-geomorphology of the Lagoa Encantada strandplain

(see Fig. 8.1 for location). Modified from Almeida (2006)
Fig. 8.17 Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Lagoa Encantada strandplain,

around 7,900 cal yrs BP. See text for details. Based on diagrams from Almeida
(2006)

(2006)

(2006)
8.6 The Itapicuru Strandplain

2
The Itapicuru strandplain has a total area of 240 km (Fig. 8.20). The Itapi-
2
curu river drains a total area of 36,440 km . Aquino et al. (2004) has esti-
mated an annual discharge of suspended sediments of about 16,705 tons
for that river. Most of the upper river course, however, where rainfall is
concentrated, is dammed. In the coastal zone, besides the Pleistocene and
Holocene beach/foredune ridge deposits, it is present a third set of sandy
deposits, higher than the other two, which has been attributed by several
authors (Martin et al. 1980, Vilas Boas et al. 1979) as the result of deposi-
tion in alluvial fans at the foot of sea cliffs carved into the Barreiras For-
mation, during a high sea level named by those authors as the Most An-
cient Transgression. This highstand would correspond to the one recorded
in the Rio Grande do Sul coast as the Barrier II (Villwock et al. 1986).
These so-called Pleistocene alluvial fan deposits have a surface that slopes
towards the sea, which could be one of the reasons to attribute to these de-
posits an origin as alluvial fans.
Recent detailed mapping of the coastal zone (1:15,000 scale) (Domin-
guez 2006a and b) shows that the seaward margin of these deposits are 10
m high whereas its landward border reaches up to 30–40 m, sometimes
climbing the coastal tablelands (The Barreiras Formation) and showing
very distinctive slipfaces (Fig. 8.21), thus suggesting that this sloping mor-
phology might be the result of aeolian reworking of older beach ridge de-
posits. In other sectors of the coast, these deposits are perfectly flat. This
evidence and the close association of these deposits with the fossil sea
cliffs of the Barreiras Formation, suggest that the Pleistocene alluvial fans
could very well be beach and dune deposits (regressive barriers). In this
case, it truly correlates to the Barrier II deposits of the Rio Grande do Sul
coast. This aspect however needs further investigation.
The Itapicuru strandplain is also associated with a large incised valley
which extends into the continental shelf as shown by the geometry of the
isobaths (Fig. 8.20). On the continent the valley is carved into the coastal
tablelands/Precambrian basement. Preliminary geophysical investigations
indicate multiple infilling episodes, with the oldest episodes concentrated
in the southern portion of the valley (J.M.L. Dominguez, unpublished da-
ta). The approximate distribution of sediments related to the Last Trans-
gression is indicated in Fig. 8.20.
A major difference when comparing this area to the others is the pres-
ence of a well developed paleo-bay head delta associated with the Itapicu-
ru river and extensive mangrove forests in its low-river course. Ongoing
Fig. 8.20 Simplified geology-geomorphology of the Itapicuru strandplain
research at this plain shows that a bay/estuary at least 10 m deep existed in

this region by the end of the Last Transgression. The bay head deltaic de-
posits reach up to 6 m in thickness. Radiocarbon dates available for this
plain, show that by 7,200 cal yrs BP intertidal areas were already present
in the area. A large shell midden is located in the northern margin of the
paleo-bay. The base of the midden is dated around 5,100 cal yrs BP whe-
reas the top provided an age of 3,465 cal yrs BP (Silva 2000). The midden
is made up of Crassostrea rhizophorae shells indicating the existence of
mangrove forests in its vicinity, during that time span. This also suggest
that most of the bay-estuary substrate have reached the intertidal level by
5,100 cal yrs BP, or even before, so mangrove forests could colonize the
area. This scenario is very similar to what is observed at Lagoa Encantada.
The major difference is that at the Itapicuru strandplain there has been al-
most no progradation of the shoreline during the Holocene, despite the
presence of a well developed bay head delta. This lack of progradation is
corroborated by the presence of an almost continuous beach rock (ce-
mented surf zone deposits) bordering the shoreline (Figs. 8.20 and 8.22).
This beach rock shows widespread presence of intraformational conglo-
merates, indicating long time exposure with repeated, fragmentation and
cementation. The reason why the shoreline has not prograded as compared
to the Lagoa Encantada strandplain is possibly the absence of a suitable

physiography to trap sediments in this area, since immediately north of the
Itapicuru almost 4 km of progradation of the shoreline has occurred during
the Holocene.
Fig. 8.21 Aerial view of a sector of the northern littoral of the State of Bahia,
showing three sets of sandy terraces. See text for details
8.7 Discussion
The four examples of strandplains/regressive barriers presented herein

show how these features evolved since the Last Transgression highstand
highstand and the drop in sea level (forced regression) that followed.
The four studied areas present overall similarities in that in all of them,
Pleistocene and Holocene beach/foredune ridges, and paleolagoon-
al/estuarine deposits are present. All areas have been subjected to the same
sea-level history, and in all of them the paleo-lagoons/estuaries and bays
that formed during the Last Transgression were rapidly filled as soon as
the rates of sea-level rise decelerated, and the present level was ap-
proached. By the maximum of the Last Transgression most of the infilling
has already occurred. The drop in sea level after 5,600 cal yrs BP apparently
Fig. 8.22 Present day coastline at the Itapicuru strandplain, showing a well-
developed dune-ridge and beach-rock (cemented upper shoreface sediments).
These features are indicative of long-term trends of shoreline retreat
did not play a major role in this infilling, contrarily to what has been em-
phasized in previous research (Martin et al. 1980, Dominguez et al. 1987,
1992). Despite these superficial similarities, in detail, the evolution of each
of the documented examples is very different and defies simplifications.
As pointed out by Phillips (2007) landscapes are circumstantial, contin-
gent results of deterministic laws operating in a specific environmental
context. The historical and place contingencies are very important to un-
derstand local evolution.
Although the presence of a major river is certainly an important factor to
induce large scale progradation of the shoreline as exemplified by the Je-
quitinhonha strandplain, it is not necessarily a limiting factor, as is the case
of the Caravelas and the Lagoa Encantada strandplains, where riverine se-
diments did not play a role at all in progradation of the shoreline. Even the
presence of a river is not a guarantee that beach/foredune ridge plains/ re-
gressive barriers will develop as exemplified by the Itapicuru strandplain
where a much larger river is present when compared to the Almada river.
Notwithstanding, the shoreline has experienced almost no progradation
during the Holocene.
Much more important than the association with a river is the local phy-
siography. In the Caravelas region, the change in orientation of the original
shoreline and coral reef development ended up changing coastal hydrody-

namics, generating convergence of longshore transport. At the Lagoa En-
cantada bay, the close coupling incised valley/submarine canyon has
created an efficient sediment trap favoring infilling of the bay followed by
progradation of the shoreline. The absence of such a trap in the Itapicuru
strandplain, despite its association with an incised valley, may be the rea-
son why during the Holocene and even the Pleistocene there has been al-
most no progradation of the shoreline.
The available information on sediment distribution on the inner shelf
shows that most of the sediment covering the shelf today is bioclastic.
Where cores are available for the inner shelf, although few, they clearly
show that siliciclastic sediments are presently prograding over bioclastic
sands (Freire 2006). It thus seems an overstatement that the sea-level drop
during the last 5,600 cal yrs BP was the main source of sediment for shore-
line progradation as advocated by many authors. A drop in sea level could
certainly contribute to increased rates of shoreline progradation, however,
it cannot generate new sediment.
Sedimentation is incremental and the Pleistocene coastal prism certainly
did not extend much further seaward when compared to the Holocene one.
As a result of the fact that the shelf break is located at a depth of just 60 m,
the continental shelf of Bahia was completely exposed to subaerial condi-
tions for almost 70,000 years, before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)
was reached. Therefore, the major important sources of siciliclastic sedi-
ments were diverted to the slope through incised valleys. After the LGM,
sea level rose extremely fast, and no siliciclastic sedimentation took place
on the continental shelf. After 7,500–7,000 cal yrs BP, with decreased rates
in sea-level rise, lagoons, estuaries and bays were rapidly filled, except for
the major ones (Camamu and Todos os Santos bays). Only after that, silicic-
lastic sediments were available for progradation of the shoreline.
The evolution of the Caravelas and the Jequitinhonha strandplains during
the Late Holocene also exemplifies the sensitivity of the shoreline beha-
vior to climate changes, as documented in the formidable sets of
beach/foredune ridges present in those plains. Some of these changes can
be very dramatic and can have significant repercussions for large stretches
of the coastal zone, as exemplified by the extended period of southward
directed transport, recorded at the Caravelas and the Jequitinhonha
strandplains, possibly related to intensification of NE-E waves.
Finally, the evolution of the Lagoa Encantada bay shows how an open
marine bay has evolved through time into a regressive barrier as a result of
rapid infilling. As the bay progressively filled up, the decrease in tidal
prism allowed the lateral extension of a sand spit blocking the entrance of
the bay. From that point on, extensive progradation of the shoreline took
place.
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The Holocene Barrier Strandplains of the State of Bahia

Article · January 2009

José M.L. Dominguez Ana Cláudia da Silva Andrade

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GEOLOGIA-GEOMORFOLOGIA DO QUATERNÁRIO COSTEIRO DO ESTADO DE SERGIPE View project

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

ISBN: 978-3-540-25008-1 e-ISBN: 978-3-540-44771-9

Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences ISSN: 0930-0317

Library of Congress Control Number: 2008935323

Cover design: deblik, Berlin

Printed on acid-free paper

Acknowledgements. We thank all our colleagues who struggled

Sérgio R. Dillenburg and Patrick A. Hesp

Angela B. Almeida, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Ana C. S. Andrade, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Departamento de

Rodolfo J. Angulo, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências

Nils E. Asp Neto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Campus Universitário

Mario L. Assine, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de

Ricardo N. Ayup-Zouain, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

Eduardo G. Barboza, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

Abílio C. S. P. Bittencourt, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Vanda Claudino-Sales, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento

Luiz C. P. Clerot, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto

Marcelo C.L. Cohen, Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de

Francisco R. Costa, Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de

Maria Cristina de Souza, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de

Gilberto T. M. Dias, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento

Sérgio R. Dillenburg, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

Daniel R. do Nascimento Jr., Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de

José M. L. Dominguez, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Paulo C. F. Giannini, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de

Carlos C. F. Guedes, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de

Patrick A. Hesp, Louisiana State University, Department of Geography

Björn Kjerfve, Department of Oceanography and Department of Geo-

Ruben J. Lara, Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Fahrenheitstrasse 6,

Guilherme C. Lessa, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de

Luiz P. Maia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Instituto de Ciências do

C. Thaís Martinho, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,

Graziela Miot da Silva, Nicholls State University, Physical Sciences,

Pedro W. M. Souza-Filho Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de

Ana P. B. Tanaka, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Geociências,

Luiz J. Tomazelli, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto

Helenice Vital, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte,

List of Contributors ............................................................................... VII

1. Coastal Barriers – An Introduction .................................................... 1

2. The Coastal Zone of Brazil ................................................................ 17

2.6.4 The Sediment Starved Coast of Northeastern Brazil ........... 31

3. The Holocene Coastal Barriers of Rio Grande do Sul..................... 53

4. The Holocene Barrier Systems of the Santa Catarina Coast,

4.6.3 Province III ........................................................................ 108

5. The Holocene Barrier Systems of Paranaguá and Northern

6. Sedimentology and Morphological Evolution of the Ilha

8. The Holocene Barrier Strandplains of the State of Bahia............. 253

9. The Mesotidal Barriers of Rio Grande do Norte ........................... 289

9.4.3 Currents ............................................................................. 295

10. The Holocene Barriers of Maranhão, Piauí and Ceará States,

11. The Subsiding Macrotidal Barrier Estuarine System

11.5 The Amazon Mangrove Coast in Perspective............................ 369

Subject Index .......................................................................................... 377

José M. L. Dominguez, Ana C. S. Andrade, Angela B. Almeida and

This chapter presents a review of the current state of knowledge of the

8.2 Regional Setting