Comparing the Effects of Erosion and Accretion along the Eastern Coast of Río de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay in Brazil

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of a general research project investigating the coastal landscapes’ evolution in different port cities of the American continent with a common historical background: colonization. The general aim is to ascertain whether the evolution of coastal landscapes in the selected port cities is influenced by the origins of their colonizers, who initiated changes that shaped these cities into repositories of artistic, cultural, and historical heritage. The paper presents a study of the coastal landscape transformation in Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay, Brazil. The study employs a comparative approach, utilizing cartographic maps from disparate historical periods, with the objective of identifying and quantifying changes in the coastline. The results indicate that accretion exceeded erosion over the study period. The erosion is associated with the loss of mangroves, underscoring the necessity for environmental protection and reconstruction efforts in affected regions. The research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive analysis of the coastal transformation in Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay and its impact on the environment. Furthermore, it allows for a comparison with the port cities of the other case studies in the overall research.