The State Of Parana Beaches

Parana beaches are composed primarily of mature polycyclic fine quartz sand and are characterized by wave-dominated beaches along the open coast and tidal-modified beaches inside the estuaries. At the estuary mouths large ebb-tidal-deltas influence beach sand transport and budget and cause shifts in the shoreline of hundreds of meters during periods of a few (< 10) years. In contrast, the open ocean coast, away from the influence of ebb-tidal deltas, has remained stable (< 10 m shift) over the last 5-6 decades. Erosion problems on the Parana coast are related to natural coastline shift induced by ebb-tidal delta dynamics as well as human destruction of foredune ridges and constructions over the beach and the beach dynamic fringe. At present time, several erosion problems remain without correct environmental and long-term solutions.