The vast natural area of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, including the magnitude of energy forces (currents, tides, waves, and winds) combined with its great richness in species and ecosystems, makes many sectors of society turn their attention to potential economic activities that could be implemented in the area. From an environmental perspective, that the area houses the planet’s largest mangroves as well as various beaches, swamps, sandbanks, bays, and estuaries is certainly notable. Such a unique environment attests to the need for in-depth and systematic knowledge of the environmental sensitivities and characteristics of the region that may affect the oil industry’s operations and contingency actions in the event of an accident. With that in mind, the Costa Norte Project was created to develop methodologies for a comprehensive understanding of coastal processes and to determine the vulnerability of one of the largest mangrove areas on the planet. The project developed an integrated simulation model for hydrodynamics of the ocean and oil dispersion in a web environment that is capable of reproducing real conditions of the local environment.
Developed by UFRJ, UERJ, UFPA, and PROOCEANO. Funded by Enauta through the Federal Law for Incentive to Oil Research and Development (R&D).
Duration: Beginning in 2016; conclusion expected for 2020
Investment: R$14,058,159.59
