Mobility of sediments due to wave action on the continental shelf of the Northern coast of the state of Bahia

Abstract

The mobility of surface sediments on the continental shelf has been investigated in this study by the use of a simple model which relates significant wave height and period (Hsig and Tsig) along with median sediment grain size (D50). For the Hsig and Tsig values used, sediment mobilization occurs to a maximum depth of approximately 60m and encompasses virtually the entire continental shelf area. By contrast, average winter wave values of H and T can only remobilize half of this area. The seafloor area remobilized by significant wave heights and periods is in close agreement with the spatial distribution of coarse grained ripples (CGR) bedforms mapped with sidescan sonar.