sand hops and bounces -see the dunes grow, run, collide -form the field's pattern.Aeolian sand dune morphologies and sizes are strongly connected to the environmental context and physical processes active since dune formation. As such, the patterns and measurable features found within dunes and dune fields can be interpreted as records of environmental conditions. Using mathematical models of dune and dune field evolution, it should be possible to quantitatively predict dune field dynamics from current conditions or to determine past field conditions based on present-day observations.In this dissertation, we focus on the construction and quantitative analysis of a continuum dune evolution model. We then apply this model towards interpretation of the formative history of terrestrial and martian dunes and dune fields. Our first aim is to identify the controls for the characteristic lengthscales seen in patterned dune fields. Variations in sand flux, binary dune interactions, and topography are evaluated with respect to evolution of individual dunes. Through the use of both quantitative and qualitative multiscale models, these results are then extended to determine the role such processes may play in (de)stabilization of the dune field. We find that sand flux variations and topography generally destabilize dune fields, while dune collisions can yield more similarly-sized dunes. We construct and apply a phenomenological macroscale dune evolution model to then quantitatively demonstrate how dune collisions cause a dune field to evolve into a set of uniformly-sized dunes. Our second goal is to investigate the influence of reversing winds and polar processes in relation to dune slope and morphology. Using numerical experiments, we investigate possible causes of distinctive morphologies seen in Antarctic and martian polar dunes. Finally, we discuss possible model extensions and needed observations that will enable the inclusion of more realistic physical environments in the dune and dune field evolution models.By elucidating the qualitative and quantitative connections between environmental conditions, physical processes, and resultant dune and dune field morphologies, this research furthers our ability to interpret spacecraft images of dune fields, and to use present-day observations to improve our understanding of past terrestrial and martian environments.

This dissertation combines studies of aeolian bedforms and aeolian dune-field patterns to create a comprehensive set of tools that can be used in tandem (or separately) to extract information about climate change and landscape evolution, and to identify the controls on formation for specific modern dune fields or ancient aeolian sequences. The spatial distribution of surface processes, erosion/deposition rates, and lee face sorting on aeolian dunes are each a function of the incident angle. This correlation between stratification style and incidence angle can be used to develop a “toolbox” of methods based on measurements of key suites of parameters found in ancient aeolian deposits. Information obtained from the rock record can be used as input data for different kinds of numerical models. Regional-scale paleowind conditions can be used to validate paleoclimate and global circulation models. Understanding the natural variability in the Earth’s climate throughout its history can help predict future climate change. Reconstructed wind regimes and bedform morphologies can be used in numerical models of aeolian dune-field pattern evolution to simulate patterns analogous to those reconstructed from ancient aeolian systems. Much of the diversity of aeolian dune-field patterns seen in the real world is a function of the sediment supply and transport capacity, which in turn determine the sediment availability of the system. Knowledge of the sediment supply, availability, and transport capacity of aeolian systems can be used to predict the amount of sand in the system and where it might have migrated. This information can be extremely useful for development and production of oil and gas accumulations, where a discovery has been made but the spatial extent of the aeolian reservoir is unknown. / text

Aeolian dune fields form some of the most striking patterns on Earth and Mars. These patterns reflect the internal dune dynamics of self-organization within boundary conditions, which are the unique set of environmental variables within which each dune field evolves. Dune-field pattern self-organization occurs because of interactions between the dunes themselves and the rich diversity of dune-field patterns arises because boundary conditions alter the type and frequency of dune interactions. These hypotheses are explored in three parts. First, source-area geometry and areal limits are two newly recognized boundary conditions. Measurements of crest length and spacing from satellite images of dune patterns with point and line source-area geometries show an increase in crest length and spacing over distance, whereas crest length and spacing in plane-sourced patterns emerge equally across the dune field. The areal limit boundary condition is the size and shape of the dune field itself. Empirical measurements from ten dune fields ranging over four orders of magnitude in area show that spacing increases and defect density decreases as the area of the dune field increases. A simple analytical model indicates that dune fields that are five times longer in the dune migration direction can achieve the greatest spacing for a given area. Second, time-series aerial photographs and airborne LiDAR show that fully developed, crescentic aeolian dunes at White Sands, New Mexico, interact and the dune pattern organizes in systematically similar ways as wind ripples and subaqueous dunes and ripples. Interaction type, classified as constructive, regenerative or neutral in terms of pattern development, changes spatially with the pattern because of the imposition of the line-source area and sediment availability boundary conditions. Upwind dominance by constructive interactions at the field line-source yields to neutral and regenerative interactions in the sediment availability-limited field center. Third, the dune-field pattern in the Olympia Undae Dune Field on Mars is comprised of two generations of dunes. This scenario of pattern reformation with a new wind regime shows that the emergence of the younger pattern is controlled by the boundary condition of the antecedent dune topography imposed upon the interaction between the younger and older patterns. / text

The dune field at White Sands, New Mexico, shows a well-defined pattern of dunes and interdune areas, as well as spatial variations in this pattern. The purpose of this research is to determine which measured pattern parameters are most consistent across the dune field and to determine the cause of depositional spatial variability. This was accomplished using an airborne LiDAR generated digital-elevation model (DEM) collected in June 2007 and covering 39 km² of the dune field. Properties of the dune field are defined by measurements from three dune populations: 1) 110 randomly selected dunes, 2) 247 dunes along transects oriented in the net transport direction, and 3) 171 dunes from three zones within the field where differences in pattern are visible. Measurements of eight common dune parameters show that the lowest coefficients of variation occur with dune orientation and crestline sinuosity, which largely define the field pattern. Cross-plotting of parameters shows generally poor correlations, which is thought to reflect variation around field-scale means that are comparable to other dune fields globally. Removing the dunes from the LiDAR DEM reveals a depositional substrate with breaks in slope interpreted as three paleoshorelines associated with Pleistocene Lake Otero. The paleoshorelines are antecedent boundary conditions that exert the primary control on spatial variability within the dune pattern. / text

No Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, ao norte do balneário Xangri-lá, a barreira holocênica encontra-se parcialmente coberta pela fase moderna e relativamente ativa de um campo de dunas transgressivo, enquanto que, ao sul deste balneário, o campo de dunas cobre completamente a barreira. Este trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento acerca desse comportamento diferenciado de desenvolvimento da fase moderna do campo de dunas transgressivo sobre a barreira holocênica. Foram utilizadas séries temporais de vento (direção e velocidade) e precipitação de estações meteorológicas localizadas ao sul e ao norte de Xangri-lá, bem como foram realizadas medições simultâneas de vento, por meio de anemômetros portáteis, imediatamente ao norte e ao sul desse balneário. Potenciais de transporte de areia foram calculados para ambas as estações meteorológicas. Os registros históricos da estação de Tramandaí (mais ao sul) indicaram maiores velocidades de vento e menores de precipitação em relação à estação de Torres (mais ao norte). Devido a maior velocidade dos ventos em Tramandaí, o potencial de transporte de areia nessa localidade foi superior a Torres, indicando o favorecimento da migração das dunas em suas proximidades. O comportamento desigual de desenvolvimento da fase moderna do campo de dunas transgressivo pode então estar relacionado a maior velocidade e frequência dos ventos NNE, NE, ENE e E em Tramandaí (ou seja, ao sul de Xangri-lá), além da menor precipitação que também favorece um transporte de areia mais eficiente ao sul de Xangri-lá. / In the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, to the north of Xangri-lá beach, the Holocene barrier is partially covered by the modern and relatively active phase of a transgressive dune field, while to the south of this balneario the dune field completely covers the barrier. This work contributed to the knowledge about this differentiated development behavior of the modern phase of the transgressive dune field on the holocene barrier. Time series of wind (direction and speed) and precipitation of meteorological stations located to the south and north of Xangri-lá were used, as well as simultaneous wind measurements using portable anemometers, immediately to the north and south of this balneario. Sand transport potentials were calculated for both meteorological stations. Historical records of the Tramandaí station (further south) indicated higher wind speeds and lower precipitation relative to the Torres station (further north). Due to the greater speed of the winds in Tramandaí, the potential of sand transport in this locality was higher than Torres, indicating the favor of the migration of the dunes in its proximities. The uneven developmental behavior of the modern phase of the transgressive dune field can then be related to the higher speed and frequency of the NNE, NE, ENE and E winds in Tramandaí (ie, south of Xangri-lá), as well as the lower precipitation also favors more efficient sand transportation south of Xangri-lá.

No Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, ao norte do balneário Xangri-lá, a barreira holocênica encontra-se parcialmente coberta pela fase moderna e relativamente ativa de um campo de dunas transgressivo, enquanto que, ao sul deste balneário, o campo de dunas cobre completamente a barreira. Este trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento acerca desse comportamento diferenciado de desenvolvimento da fase moderna do campo de dunas transgressivo sobre a barreira holocênica. Foram utilizadas séries temporais de vento (direção e velocidade) e precipitação de estações meteorológicas localizadas ao sul e ao norte de Xangri-lá, bem como foram realizadas medições simultâneas de vento, por meio de anemômetros portáteis, imediatamente ao norte e ao sul desse balneário. Potenciais de transporte de areia foram calculados para ambas as estações meteorológicas. Os registros históricos da estação de Tramandaí (mais ao sul) indicaram maiores velocidades de vento e menores de precipitação em relação à estação de Torres (mais ao norte). Devido a maior velocidade dos ventos em Tramandaí, o potencial de transporte de areia nessa localidade foi superior a Torres, indicando o favorecimento da migração das dunas em suas proximidades. O comportamento desigual de desenvolvimento da fase moderna do campo de dunas transgressivo pode então estar relacionado a maior velocidade e frequência dos ventos NNE, NE, ENE e E em Tramandaí (ou seja, ao sul de Xangri-lá), além da menor precipitação que também favorece um transporte de areia mais eficiente ao sul de Xangri-lá. / In the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, to the north of Xangri-lá beach, the Holocene barrier is partially covered by the modern and relatively active phase of a transgressive dune field, while to the south of this balneario the dune field completely covers the barrier. This work contributed to the knowledge about this differentiated development behavior of the modern phase of the transgressive dune field on the holocene barrier. Time series of wind (direction and speed) and precipitation of meteorological stations located to the south and north of Xangri-lá were used, as well as simultaneous wind measurements using portable anemometers, immediately to the north and south of this balneario. Sand transport potentials were calculated for both meteorological stations. Historical records of the Tramandaí station (further south) indicated higher wind speeds and lower precipitation relative to the Torres station (further north). Due to the greater speed of the winds in Tramandaí, the potential of sand transport in this locality was higher than Torres, indicating the favor of the migration of the dunes in its proximities. The uneven developmental behavior of the modern phase of the transgressive dune field can then be related to the higher speed and frequency of the NNE, NE, ENE and E winds in Tramandaí (ie, south of Xangri-lá), as well as the lower precipitation also favors more efficient sand transportation south of Xangri-lá.

No Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, ao norte do balneário Xangri-lá, a barreira holocênica encontra-se parcialmente coberta pela fase moderna e relativamente ativa de um campo de dunas transgressivo, enquanto que, ao sul deste balneário, o campo de dunas cobre completamente a barreira. Este trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento acerca desse comportamento diferenciado de desenvolvimento da fase moderna do campo de dunas transgressivo sobre a barreira holocênica. Foram utilizadas séries temporais de vento (direção e velocidade) e precipitação de estações meteorológicas localizadas ao sul e ao norte de Xangri-lá, bem como foram realizadas medições simultâneas de vento, por meio de anemômetros portáteis, imediatamente ao norte e ao sul desse balneário. Potenciais de transporte de areia foram calculados para ambas as estações meteorológicas. Os registros históricos da estação de Tramandaí (mais ao sul) indicaram maiores velocidades de vento e menores de precipitação em relação à estação de Torres (mais ao norte). Devido a maior velocidade dos ventos em Tramandaí, o potencial de transporte de areia nessa localidade foi superior a Torres, indicando o favorecimento da migração das dunas em suas proximidades. O comportamento desigual de desenvolvimento da fase moderna do campo de dunas transgressivo pode então estar relacionado a maior velocidade e frequência dos ventos NNE, NE, ENE e E em Tramandaí (ou seja, ao sul de Xangri-lá), além da menor precipitação que também favorece um transporte de areia mais eficiente ao sul de Xangri-lá. / In the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, to the north of Xangri-lá beach, the Holocene barrier is partially covered by the modern and relatively active phase of a transgressive dune field, while to the south of this balneario the dune field completely covers the barrier. This work contributed to the knowledge about this differentiated development behavior of the modern phase of the transgressive dune field on the holocene barrier. Time series of wind (direction and speed) and precipitation of meteorological stations located to the south and north of Xangri-lá were used, as well as simultaneous wind measurements using portable anemometers, immediately to the north and south of this balneario. Sand transport potentials were calculated for both meteorological stations. Historical records of the Tramandaí station (further south) indicated higher wind speeds and lower precipitation relative to the Torres station (further north). Due to the greater speed of the winds in Tramandaí, the potential of sand transport in this locality was higher than Torres, indicating the favor of the migration of the dunes in its proximities. The uneven developmental behavior of the modern phase of the transgressive dune field can then be related to the higher speed and frequency of the NNE, NE, ENE and E winds in Tramandaí (ie, south of Xangri-lá), as well as the lower precipitation also favors more efficient sand transportation south of Xangri-lá.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / O litoral cearense convive hoje com um dos maiores ensamentos litorÃneos brasileiro, isso ocorre porque, nas Ãltimas dÃcadas, a ocupaÃÃo das Ãreas litorÃneas para o turismo e habitaÃÃo tem se intensificado gradativamente. AtravÃs do estudo das dunas do municÃpio de Aquiraz pretendeu-se apreender a dinÃmica presente nesse setor litorÃneo e obter apÃs uma anÃlise detalhada um diagnostico ambiental, o qual propiciou a elaboraÃÃo de propostas de gestÃo para toda Ãrea estudada. Mas, a principal finalidade da pesquisa foi compreender a estrutura e funcionamento das dunas de maneira integrada. E entender como essas unidades naturais se comportam e interagem dentro do sistema litorÃneo. A Ãrea em que se desenvolvem as avaliaÃÃes situa-se no setor leste costeiro desse municÃpio e o campo de duna presente nesse setor sÃo umas das maiores expressÃes espaciais desse tipo de feiÃÃes no litoral nordestino brasileiro. A compreensÃo dos processos pretÃritos e presentes que contribuÃram na formaÃÃo dessas dunas, a identificaÃÃo das suas diferentes tipologias, a classificaÃÃo de acordo com o seu estado dinÃmico e individualizaÃÃo das suas geraÃÃes foi o nosso principal objetivo. A pesquisa encontra-se alicerÃado na Teoria GeossitÃmica e dentro dos procedimentos tÃcnicos e metodolÃgicos aplicados buscou-se a anÃlise espaÃo-temporal atravÃs da interpretaÃÃo de produtos cartogrÃficos de diferentes perÃodos, em uma faixa tempo de quase cinqÃenta anos. Diante do contexto a revisÃo bibliogrÃfica, anÃlise cartogrÃfica e etapa de campo foram cruciais para um maior conhecimento da Ãrea e para a concretizaÃÃo do trabalho. De acordo com os critÃrios adotados foram identificadas duas geraÃÃes de dunas e vÃrios tipos de morfologia, alÃm de alguns setores com formas de uso e ocupaÃÃo indevidas que estÃo provocando a degradaÃÃo das dunas e alterando a dinÃmica natural da Ãrea. Entretanto, o trecho estudado tem a maior parte das suas dunas ainda conservadas, em virtude de grande partes delas estarem sob proteÃÃo da LegislaÃÃo Federal. Ao final foi evidenciada a necessidade da implantaÃÃo de medidas de manejo ambiental capazes de minimizar os impactos ambientais nos trechos com ocupaÃÃes e de monitoramento, para que os setores de dunas mais conservados, nÃo se transformem em futuras de Ãreas de degradaÃÃo ambiental. / Ceara coast possesses one of the largest occupations of the coast Brazilian coast, this happens because, in the last decades, the occupation of the coastal areas for the tourism and house has if intensified gradually. Thr ough the study of the dunes of the municipal district of Aquiraz it intended to apprehend the present dynamics in that coastal areas and to obtain after a detailed analysis an environmental diagnose, which propitiated the elaboration of management proposals for every studied area. But, the main purpose of the research was to understand the structure and operation of the dunes in an integrated way. And to understand about those natural units behaves and they interact inside of the coastal system. The area that if was developed the evaluations locates in the coastal east of that municipal district and the field of present dune in that section are some of the largest space expressions of that type of features in the coast Brazilian Northeast. The understanding of the past and present processes that contributed in the formation of those dunes, the identification of their different typologies, the classification in agreement with their dynamic state and individualization of their generations was our main objective. The research is based in the Geosystem theory and inside of the technical and methodological procedures applied the analysis in a space of time was looked for through the interpretation of cartographic products of different periods, almost fifty year old. Before the context the bibliographical rev ision, cartographic analysis and field stage were crucial for a larger knowledge of the area and for the materialization of the research. In agreement with the adopted criteria they were identified in two generations of dunes and several morphology types, besides some areas with use and occupation forms that are provoking the degradation of the dunes and altering the natural dynamics of the area. However, the studied area has most of their dunes conserved still, because great parts of them to be under protection of the Federal Legislation. At the end the need of the implantation of environmental measures handling was evidenced capable to minimize the environmental impacts in the areas with occupations and of accompaniment, so that the dunes more conserved, don't change in the future in areas of environmental degrad ation.

Orientador: Edgardo Manuel Latrubesse / Resumo: Compreender a evolução paleoclimática do Quaternário na região Nordeste do Brasil (NEB) é parte fundamental para entender como tem funcionado a circulação atmosférica na faixa tropical da América do Sul. Nesse contexto, o campo de dunas eólicas estabilizadas do Médio Rio São Francisco é um “geoproxy” de grande potencial principalmente por fornecer informações sobre o comportamento dos paleoventos durante os estágios de formação e desenvolvimento das dunas eólicas presentes nesta região. A magnitude e tipo das dunas arenosas presentes neste campo eólico são características particulares desta área em relação a outros registros eólicos da América do Sul tropical. Assim, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é propor um modelo de organização espacial dos padrões eólicos predominantes, inferir mecanismos de desencadeamento e expansão do campo de dunas, e contribuir com o entendimento paleoclimático do NEB a partir de resultados de datações por luminescência optica dos principais padrões de dunas eólicas integrados com outros dados proxies da região. Baseado na combinação de métodos de sensoriamento remoto, morfoestratigrafia e datação por luminescência óptica, definimos as unidades morfosedimentares do campo eólico e, secundariamente, da planície aluvial do Rio São Francisco. Devido a pouca informação de subsuperfície, analisamos dados prévios da planície flúvio-eólica com objetivo de entender a estruturação do arcabouço no qual ocorreu a expansão do campo eólico. Usamos mapa prévio... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The paleoclimatic knowledge of the Quaternary period of Northeastern Brazil (NEB) is key to understanding how atmospheric circulation has worked in the tropical zone of South America. In this context, the inactive dune field in the Middle São Francisco River is a “geoproxy” of great potential mainly because it provides information on the behavior of paleowinds during the formation and development stages of the aeolian dunes present in this region. The magnitude and type of sandy dunes present in this dune field are particular characteristics of this area in relation to other wind records in tropical South America. Thus, the main objective of this work is to propose a model of spatial organization of the prevailing aeolian patterns, to infer mechanisms of triggering and expansion of the dune field, and to contribute to the paleoclimatic understanding of NEB from results of dating by optical luminescence of the main patterns aeolian dunes integrated with other proxies data from the region. Based on the combination of remote sensing, morphostratigraphy and optical luminescence dating, were define the morphosedimentary units of the dunefield, and secondarily of the alluvial plain of the São Francisco River. Due to scarcity of subsurface information, we analyzed previous data from the fluvial-aeolian plain in order to understand the structure of the framework in which the expansion of the dunefield occurred. Were used a previous map derived from magnetic anomaly data, sedimentary ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

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