Ecobreves – BRAZIL: City Beaches Could Disappear

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 23 2010 (IPS) - Rising sea levels and the lack of sedimentation are leading to the disappearance of many of Brazil's beaches, according to geographer Dieter Muehe, who authored a study of the problem. “We can't precisely predict the scenarios of climate change and its effects, but a rise in sea level would cause the coastline to recede due to erosion. In the case of urban beaches, usually limited by walls, receding becomes impossible,” he explained to Tierramérica.

Rivers are usually the main source of sediments for maintaining sand on the beaches, but because of human interference, like the construction of dams, that source of sand is diminishing.

“The artificial maintenance of the beaches, by dredging sand out at sea, is a technique already used for some of Brazil's beaches, but more extensive studies are needed on the impacts of that approach,” said Muehe.