Maria Fernandes
@qualitasinstruments.com
Qualitas Instruments
EDUCATION
04/2022 PhD Degree Geology
Science College Lisbon University, Portugal. Title: Sedimentary dynamics in the Estremadura Spur Continental Shelf.
07/2008 Master Degree in Marine Geology
Master Degree in Marine Geology, Science College Lisbon University. Title: Sedimentary cover of the Portuguese Continental shelf, between Nazaré Canyon and Ericeira.
10/2003 Degree in Environmental and Applied Geology
Degree in Environmental and Applied Geology by the Science College Lisbon University.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Geology, Oceanography, Environmental Science
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Belinda Lipa, Maeve Daugharty, Marcel Losekoot, and Maria Fernandes
MDPI AG
We describe an extension of methods used for the derivation of wave information from compact high frequency radar systems and give examples of observations which are compared to measurements from wave buoys close to the radar coverage area. Previous methods were based on the application of the Pierson–Moskowitz wave energy model in the analysis of radar spectra. We describe the extension of the methods to apply a bimodal ocean wave spectral model which includes two different spectra covering different wave frequencies, e.g., from swell and wind-waves. Results are presented from data sets obtained from radar stations located in the USA and Portugal.
Emma Reyes, Eva Aguiar, Michele Bendoni, Maristella Berta, Carlo Brandini, Alejandro Cáceres-Euse, Fulvio Capodici, Vanessa Cardin, Daniela Cianelli, Giuseppe Ciraolo,et al.
Copernicus GmbH
Abstract. The Mediterranean Sea is a prominent climate-change hot spot, with many socioeconomically vital coastal areas being the most vulnerable targets for maritime safety, diverse met-ocean hazards and marine pollution. Providing an unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution at wide coastal areas, high-frequency radars (HFRs) have been steadily gaining recognition as an effective land-based remote sensing technology for continuous monitoring of the surface circulation, increasingly waves and occasionally winds. HFR measurements have boosted the thorough scientific knowledge of coastal processes, also fostering a broad range of applications, which has promoted their integration in coastal ocean observing systems worldwide, with more than half of the European sites located in the Mediterranean coastal areas. In this work, we present a review of existing HFR data multidisciplinary science-based applications in the Mediterranean Sea, primarily focused on meeting end-user and science-driven requirements, addressing regional challenges in three main topics: (i) maritime safety, (ii) extreme hazards and (iii) environmental transport process. Additionally, the HFR observing and monitoring regional capabilities in the Mediterranean coastal areas required to underpin the underlying science and the further development of applications are also analyzed. The outcome of this assessment has allowed us to provide a set of recommendations for future improvement prospects to maximize the contribution to extending science-based HFR products into societally relevant downstream services to support blue growth in the Mediterranean coastal areas, helping to meet the UN's Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the EU's Green Deal goals.
Pablo Lorente, Jue Lin-Ye, Manuel García-León, Emma Reyes, Maria Fernandes, Marcos Garcia Sotillo, Manuel Espino, Maria Isabel Ruiz, Vicente Gracia, Susana Perez,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
Storm Gloria (January 19–24, 2020) hit the NW Mediterranean Sea with heavy rainfall, strong easterly winds, and very high waves, causing structural damages and 13 fatalities. The low-lying Ebro Delta (ED) region was severely inundated, ruining rice fields and seaside promenades. A variety of Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) modeling and observational products were jointly used to examine the fingerprint of Gloria and the response of the upper oceanic layer. According to the results, Gloria can be interpreted as a high-impact once-in-a-decade metocean event where various historical records were beaten. The 99th percentile of several parameters (wind speed, significant wave height, wave period, and surface current velocity), derived from long-term observational time series, was persistently exceeded. The atmospheric surge, albeit not negligible, exerted a secondary role in ED. The ability of a high-frequency radar deployed in this region (HFR-ED) to characterize the striking features of the storm was quantified from both waves and circulation aspects. Consistent radar current observations were subsequently compared against the 5-day-ahead forecast of CMEMS Iberia-Biscay-Ireland (IBI) regional ocean model to determine, from an Eulerian perspective, the strengths and shortcomings in its predictive capabilities. Time-averaged maps of surface circulation, superimposed with fields of Instantaneous Rate of Separation (IROS), were derived to resolve flow features and identify areas of elevated particles dispersion, respectively. The mean and P99 values of IROS almost doubled the historical statistics in the vicinity of the northern Ebro hemidelta. Although IBI predicted moderately well basic features of the storm-induced circulation, results suggests that coastal transport processes, likely modulated by wave-current interactions, were not fully captured. Furthermore, current estimations from other two radar systems, overlooking immediate choke points like the Ibiza Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar, evidenced Gloria’s remote-effect in the anomalous circulation patterns observed, that altered the usual water exchanges between adjacent sub-basins. Finally, three-dimensional outcomes from IBI were used to elucidate the impact of this moving storm at different depth levels. Data analyses illustrated that Gloria caused a large increase in kinetic energy and a significant deepening of the mixed layer depth.
Belinda Lipa, Donald Barrick, Andres Alonso-Martirena, Maria Fernandes, Maria Ferrer, and Bruce Nyden
MDPI AG
We describe radar measurements of waves, currents and winds made on the coast of northern Scotland during two 2013/14 winter storms, giving methods, results and interpretation. Wave parameters (height, period, direction and short-wave/wind direction) were derived and compared with measurements made by a neighboring buoy and local weather stations. Wind direction and current velocity maps were produced and the interactions of winds and currents discussed. Significant oscillations in wave parameters were observed, which appear to be due to forcing by tidal current velocity variations. The oscillations in waveheight are explained using hydrodynamic analysis and derived amplitudes are compared with radar measurements.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
GRANT DETAILS
PhD scholarship financed by Technologic and Scientific Foundation (FCT), entitled “Sedimentary Dynamics in Estremadura Spur Continental Shelf”, held in Hydrographic Institute and Science College Lisbon University.