Analysis of Morphological Changes at Aveiro Coast (NW Portugal) Between 2012 and 2018

Repetitive data collection is imperative regarding accurate coastal monitoring and appropriate coastal management strategies design. This study analyses high-resolution topo-bathymetric data gathered at Aveiro coast (NW Portugal) between 2012 and 2018. Using Geographic Information System techniques, the beach response and the sediment budget evolution are assessed for both emerged and submerged areas, evidencing places where coastal erosion and accretion occur. The methodology includes creating digital terrain models to compute the volume differences for this period and estimate the sediment budgets. The results are discussed in anthropic activities such as dredging and artificial nourishment operations in this littoral region. An overall erosion tendency is observed on the emerged beach, which seems to be compensated with beach nourishment interventions. However, the submerged beach also reveals a general erosive tendency at the inlet, and, among other factors, it seems to be affected by dredging operations and the southwest extension of the north pier.