{"paper_id":"38fcbe35-bb2a-4c86-8d0f-89c91ea07290","body_text":"Seasonal assessment of tidal current energy potential in a macrotidal ria estuary of the Eastern Amazon, Brazil | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Seasonal assessment of tidal current energy potential in a macrotidal ria estuary of the Eastern Amazon, Brazil Gabriel Ferreira Botelho, Maâmar El-Robrini This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9348929/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract With the diversification of the global energy matrix, increasing efforts have been directed toward renewable energy sources, intensifying interest in tidal current energy, particularly in macro and hypertidal estuarine environments. In this context, this study aims to assess the seasonal tidal current energy potential of the Turiaçu River Estuary (TRE), located within the ria coastal system of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin (BEM), using a two-dimensional depth-averaged hydrodynamic model (2DH). The model was implemented in the SisBaHiA® system by integrating static and dynamic datasets, including bathymetric data, bottom roughness, tidal harmonic constituents, subtidal oceanic forcing, river discharge, and atmospheric forcing. Two representative scenarios were simulated: May 2024 (rainy season) and October 2024 (dry season). Model performance was evaluated against observed water-level data, showing strong agreement (r > 0.92; RMSE < 0.51 m). Kinetic power density derived from simulated current velocities revealed pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with persistent energetic hotspots concentrated in Mutuoca and Turiaçu Bays, the estuary mouth, and the southern sector of Lençóis Island. In these sectors, mean current velocities ranged from 0.59 to 0.61 m s⁻¹, while mean power densities ranged from 0.18 to 0.21 kW m⁻², with spring-tide peaks exceeding 4.0 kW m⁻². Temporal variability was primarily modulated by the spring-neap tidal cycle and seasonal hydrological conditions, with a 23.7% higher frequency of energetic events during the dry season. Despite this seasonal modulation, the spatial organization of the main hotspots remained stable, indicating dominant control by estuarine geomorphology. These results demonstrate that the TRE constitutes a promising regional-scale hydrokinetic resource and provide a robust scientific basis for future technical, environmental, and economic feasibility assessments along the BEM. SisBaHiA® Renewable Energy Numerical Methods Waterway Transport Brazilian Equatorial Margin macro- and hypertidal estuary Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 03 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 14 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 08 Apr, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 08 Apr, 2026 First submitted to journal 07 Apr, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {\"props\":{\"pageProps\":{\"initialData\":{\"identity\":\"rs-9348929\",\"acceptedTermsAndConditions\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"archivedVersions\":[],\"articleType\":\"Research Article\",\"associatedPublications\":[],\"authors\":[{\"id\":625075193,\"identity\":\"56ecf3f2-8e33-4d80-a288-411f25ee24cd\",\"order_by\":0,\"name\":\"Gabriel Ferreira Botelho\",\"email\":\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA4klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCcZnIErGgIH5AIgrQ4QWZjMGhgQGHgMGtgQQl4cULUAEBIS1yEc3sz34+MOGx5y95/OrGzUWPAzsh49uwKfF8M5hdsMZCWk8lj1nt1nnHAM6jCct7QZeLTPyj0nzJBzmMbiRu804hw2oRYLHjICWZDaglv9ALTnPjHP+EaFFXgKs5QBIC/Pj3DYitBjIgPySlsxjcOaYGXNunwQPGyG/yM8GhtgHGzs5g+PNjz/nfKuT42c/fAy/LQcQbDYJMIlPOdiWBgSb+QMh1aNgFIyCUTAyAQD2TEQ3oHJ46AAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Federal University of Para\",\"correspondingAuthor\":true,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Gabriel\",\"middleName\":\"Ferreira\",\"lastName\":\"Botelho\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":625075195,\"identity\":\"8fd85af3-9f2d-4e11-8d45-4d470b2aa1ac\",\"order_by\":1,\"name\":\"Maâmar El-Robrini\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Federal University of Para\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Maâmar\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"El-Robrini\",\"suffix\":\"\"}],\"badges\":[],\"createdAt\":\"2026-04-07 19:38:31\",\"currentVersionCode\":1,\"declarations\":\"\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9348929/v1\",\"doiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9348929/v1\",\"draftVersion\":[],\"editorialEvents\":[],\"editorialNote\":\"\",\"failedWorkflow\":false,\"files\":[{\"id\":107705634,\"identity\":\"5fb8fc98-17c0-4d43-8ef4-fa19343b2945\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2026-04-24 09:14:02\",\"extension\":\"pdf\",\"order_by\":1,\"title\":\"\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"manuscript-pdf\",\"size\":1458725,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"ManuscriptTidalCurrentEnergyTRE.pdf\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9348929/v1_covered_dbffb530-c546-4515-8d6e-662c4b9055d7.pdf\"}],\"financialInterests\":\"No competing interests reported.\",\"formattedTitle\":\"Seasonal assessment of tidal current energy potential in a macrotidal ria estuary of the Eastern Amazon, Brazil\",\"fulltext\":[],\"fulltextSource\":\"\",\"fullText\":\"\",\"funders\":[],\"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow\":false,\"hasManuscriptDocX\":false,\"hasOptedInToPreprint\":true,\"hasPassedJournalQc\":\"\",\"hasAnyPriority\":false,\"hideJournal\":false,\"highlight\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"isAcceptedByJournal\":false,\"isAuthorSuppliedPdf\":true,\"isDeskRejected\":\"\",\"isHiddenFromSearch\":false,\"isInQc\":false,\"isInWorkflow\":false,\"isPdf\":true,\"isPdfUpToDate\":true,\"isWithdrawnOrRetracted\":false,\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"ocean-dynamics\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"externalIdentity\":\"odyn\",\"sideBox\":\"Learn more about [Ocean Dynamics](https://link.springer.com/journal/10236)\",\"snPcode\":\"10236\",\"submissionUrl\":\"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/10236/3\",\"title\":\"Ocean Dynamics\",\"twitterHandle\":\"\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":true,\"editorialSystem\":\"stoa\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"Springer Hybrid\",\"inReviewEnabled\":true,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":false},\"keywords\":\"SisBaHiA®, Renewable Energy, Numerical Methods, Waterway Transport, Brazilian Equatorial Margin, macro- and hypertidal estuary\",\"lastPublishedDoi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9348929/v1\",\"lastPublishedDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9348929/v1\",\"license\":{\"name\":\"CC BY 4.0\",\"url\":\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\"},\"manuscriptAbstract\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eWith the diversification of the global energy matrix, increasing efforts have been directed toward renewable energy sources, intensifying interest in tidal current energy, particularly in macro and hypertidal estuarine environments. In this context, this study aims to assess the seasonal tidal current energy potential of the Turia\\u0026ccedil;u River Estuary (TRE), located within the ria coastal system of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin (BEM), using a two-dimensional depth-averaged hydrodynamic model (2DH). The model was implemented in the SisBaHiA\\u0026reg; system by integrating static and dynamic datasets, including bathymetric data, bottom roughness, tidal harmonic constituents, subtidal oceanic forcing, river discharge, and atmospheric forcing. Two representative scenarios were simulated: May 2024 (rainy season) and October 2024 (dry season). Model performance was evaluated against observed water-level data, showing strong agreement (r\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026gt;\\u0026thinsp;0.92; RMSE\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026lt;\\u0026thinsp;0.51 m). Kinetic power density derived from simulated current velocities revealed pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with persistent energetic hotspots concentrated in Mutuoca and Turia\\u0026ccedil;u Bays, the estuary mouth, and the southern sector of Len\\u0026ccedil;\\u0026oacute;is Island. In these sectors, mean current velocities ranged from 0.59 to 0.61 m s⁻\\u0026sup1;, while mean power densities ranged from 0.18 to 0.21 kW m⁻\\u0026sup2;, with spring-tide peaks exceeding 4.0 kW m⁻\\u0026sup2;. Temporal variability was primarily modulated by the spring-neap tidal cycle and seasonal hydrological conditions, with a 23.7% higher frequency of energetic events during the dry season. Despite this seasonal modulation, the spatial organization of the main hotspots remained stable, indicating dominant control by estuarine geomorphology. These results demonstrate that the TRE constitutes a promising regional-scale hydrokinetic resource and provide a robust scientific basis for future technical, environmental, and economic feasibility assessments along the BEM.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"manuscriptTitle\":\"Seasonal assessment of tidal current energy potential in a macrotidal ria estuary of the Eastern Amazon, Brazil\",\"msid\":\"\",\"msnumber\":\"\",\"nonDraftVersions\":[{\"code\":1,\"date\":\"2026-04-22 17:12:38\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9348929/v1\",\"editorialEvents\":[{\"type\":\"communityComments\",\"content\":0},{\"type\":\"editorInvitedReview\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2026-05-03T21:23:20+00:00\",\"index\":\"hide\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewerAgreed\",\"content\":\"273979313079681744827438028875288696703\",\"date\":\"2026-04-27T20:08:17+00:00\",\"index\":\"hide\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewerAgreed\",\"content\":\"201463608048684486043502881967571647393\",\"date\":\"2026-04-27T17:21:19+00:00\",\"index\":\"hide\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewersInvited\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2026-04-14T21:10:24+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"editorAssigned\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2026-04-09T02:23:39+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"checksComplete\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2026-04-09T02:23:37+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"submitted\",\"content\":\"Ocean Dynamics\",\"date\":\"2026-04-07T19:29:44+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"}],\"status\":\"published\",\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"ocean-dynamics\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"externalIdentity\":\"odyn\",\"sideBox\":\"Learn more about [Ocean Dynamics](https://link.springer.com/journal/10236)\",\"snPcode\":\"10236\",\"submissionUrl\":\"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/10236/3\",\"title\":\"Ocean Dynamics\",\"twitterHandle\":\"\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":true,\"editorialSystem\":\"stoa\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"Springer Hybrid\",\"inReviewEnabled\":true,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":false}}],\"origin\":\"\",\"ownerIdentity\":\"5c811b5a-5915-4a17-8da8-e4fb7492de87\",\"owner\":[],\"postedDate\":\"April 22nd, 2026\",\"published\":true,\"recentEditorialEvents\":[{\"type\":\"editorInvitedReview\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2026-05-03T21:23:20+00:00\",\"index\":31,\"fulltext\":\"\"}],\"rejectedJournal\":[],\"revision\":\"\",\"amendment\":\"\",\"status\":\"under-review\",\"subjectAreas\":[],\"tags\":[],\"updatedAt\":\"2026-04-22T17:12:38+00:00\",\"versionOfRecord\":[],\"versionCreatedAt\":\"2026-04-22 17:12:38\",\"video\":\"\",\"vorDoi\":\"\",\"vorDoiUrl\":\"\",\"workflowStages\":[]},\"version\":\"v1\",\"identity\":\"rs-9348929\",\"journalConfig\":\"researchsquare\"},\"__N_SSP\":true},\"page\":\"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]\",\"query\":{\"redirect\":\"/article/rs-9348929\",\"identity\":\"rs-9348929\",\"version\":[\"v1\"]},\"buildId\":\"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd\",\"isFallback\":false,\"isExperimentalCompile\":false,\"dynamicIds\":[84888],\"gssp\":true,\"scriptLoader\":[]}","source_license":"CC-BY-4.0","license_restricted":false}