Sílvio Filipe

University of Coimbra | UC · Department of Earth Sciences

This study aims to evaluate the sedimentary dynamics of the Mondego River at Coimbra, a fluvial reach in which anthropogenic influence is relevant. This is expressed by an increasing urban occupation of the alluvial plain and by human-induced modifications to the channel: mainly the creation of a local base level, trapping bedload and requiring repeated dredging. The morphodynamics and sedimentary deposits were characterized at two sites. The mineralogy of the very coarse sands and gravels indicates a source from a mainly granitic area, corresponding to the river bed deposits that were already present immediately downstream of the Aguieira dam when it was built. Tex-tural differences between the sites are attributed to the influence of the small dam at Coimbra. The suspended load that reaches Coimbra is mainly delivered by the Ceira River, which has no dams and which was recently affected by severe forest fires on its drainage area. Future ventures should be focused on river restoration, instead of the ongoing increasing modification and management of this river.